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9 










THE 


STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

AND THE 

Knights of the Table Round 

or Bops an^ (3trls 


BY 

DR. EDWARD BROOKS, A. M. 

»% 

Superintendent of Schools of Philadelphia, and author of “The Story of the 
Iliad,” “The Story of the Odyssej^” etc. 


WITH THIRTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS 
BY AUBREY BEARDSLEY 



THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

PHILADELPHIA MCM 


1 . 




64394 


8773 

Library of Conqre.;F.[ 

Two Copies Receiveo I 
JUW 20 1900- i 

Copyright eoliy 

^l<vujL.Zii/fOC 

H. a. / s'ltr 

SECO’-'i) ccpy. 

Dfiivereri to 

ORDER DIVISION, 

JUL 2 1900 



Copyright 1900 by The Penn Publishing Company 


PREFACE 


T he Story of King Arthur is a tale of absorb- 
ing interest to both young and old. It tells 
of knightly encounters and valorous deeds 
and acts of courtesy, that touch the imagination of 
youth and inspire their hearts with heroic impulses. 
Youth is a time for hero worship, and nowhere in 
literature can be found nobler examples of lofty 
heroism than in this story. The events, moving in 
a shadowy past, give the work a charm of romance 
and mysticism that appeals to the youthful mind 
which delights in peopling wood and dale with the 
creations of its imagination. 

The story of King Arthur had its origin in Wales 
about the fifth century and is one of the oldest 
legends of the British Isles. How much of it is true 
and how much is false no one can tell; but it no 
doubt had a basis in fact. That there was a Celtic 
king named Arthur is generally admitted, — a brave 
and wise ruler who added glory to the Celtic race. 
This King Arthur became the ideal sovereign of the 
Britons, and they enriched this ideal hero with every 
noble trait which could be borrowed from the lives 
of their bravest chiefs. Around this central figure 

3 


4 


PREFACE 


in time revolved other ideal types, and thus the 
noble order of knighthood was gradually evolved. 
Into this story were gathered the dreams and im- 
pulses and deeds of the people so that it reflects 
their ideals and aspirations. The tales passed from 
one generation to another and were repeated or 
sung by poet and bard until they possessed the 
Celtic mind and became their national epic as the 
Iliad was the national epic of Greece. 

From Britain the tales were carried into France 
where they were molded anew by the fancies and 
genius of that romantic people. For many years 
the deeds of Charlemagne had been the theme of 
the French romances ; but about the twelfth century 
for these was substituted the far more poetic type of 
Arthur and his knights. The characters and events 
were finally shaped into a poetical structure of 
thought and expression, and present a picture 
of the manners and sentiments of the people among 
whom it had its origin and development. The 
story has been called a Celtic myth, but it is really 
in thought and form an epic poem. 

These tales were first reduced to written form 
in 1130-47 by Geoffrey of Monmouth in his history 
of the Britons. His work was very popular and 
was translated into old French, which facilitated its 
introduction into France. In the fifteenth century 
the tales and traditions of Arthur were put in 
permanent form by Thomas Malory, a poet, and 


PREFACE 


5 


William Caxton, the first English printer. Caxton 
in his preface states the reason for his printing the 
work, but gives all the credit to Malory as having 
provided him with the copy which he printed. 
The work of Malory, as printed by Caxton, is called 
Le Morte Darthm% meaning the death of Arthur. 
This edition of the Celtic legends has been accepted 
and approved by succeeding generations. It is 
Malory’s book rather than the older forms of the 
story of King Arthur which the world still delights 
to read and for the illustrations of which scholars 
edit those earlier books. “Only a true poem, the 
offspring of genius,” it is said, “could have so held, 
and be still holding its ground, age after age.” 

As to who Malory was but little is known. It 
is said that he was a Welshman, supposedly a 
Welsh priest. Yet even this is doubtful, as he 
seems never to have quoted from any but the 
French and English versions of the story. He 
shows but little knowledge of Welsh traditions, 
nor any local knowledge of Welsh places. It is 
supposed by some that he was of an old English 
family. Instead of being a priest, however, he tells 
us that he was a knight ; and it is seen that he was a 
knight in temper and spirit, and a lover of the gentle 
and nobler virtues of knighthood. He was surely 
a man of genius and a devout Christian ; and though 
he left in the stories much plainness of speech and 
some unconventional incidents, yet he omitted 


6 


PREFACE 


much that was coarse and gross in both the French 
and Welsh versions of the story. 

The work is regarded as one of the great classics 
of literature. ‘‘Malory,” says a writer, “was not 
solely an editor. He was in a large sense a creator. 
The material with which he had to deal was crude 
and coarse, but he selected that which is noblest 
and best, and in all his plainness of speech he never 
seems to try to make vice attractive. He imparts 
new life and character to many of these Celtic 
heroes, and makes them stand before us as living 
and breathing men and women. While he did not 
write in verse, he shows an epic sense, and he has 
really given us a prose poem of remarkable beauty 
and interest.” “The Arthurian legends,” says 
another writer, “were converted into a magnificent 
prose poem by Sir Thomas Malory in 1461. 
Malory's Morte Darthiir is as truly the epic of 
the English mind as the Iliad is the epic of the 
Greek mind.” 

The influence of the book on English literature 
and thus on English life has been deep and abiding. 
Subsequent writers have found it the source of lit- 
erary material and poetic inspiration. Spenser's 
Faerie Qiieene owes much of its ideals of knightly 
behaviour to King Arthur. Milton thought for 
many years to make the death of Arthur rather than 
Paradise Lost the theme of a great epic poem. 
Tennyson, in his Idylls of the King, has wrought the 


PREFACE 7 

material of Malory into exquisite forms of idyllic 
beauty. 

Malory’s book written more than five centuries 
ago is naturally not without faults in matter and 
style. It contains passages that are not suitable for 
the general reading of the young; and there is a 
multiplicity of details that is uninteresting and even 
bewildering. The object of this edition of the 
work is to present an edition of the story that will 
not only be suitable but especially attractive to the 
young. Thus, only the leading events have been 
taken and those have been divested of unimportant 
and uninteresting details often found in the orig- 
inal. All the leading characters are presented, and 
are so fully set forth that they may be clearly seen 
moving like real persons in that mystic age where 
natural and supernatural powers combine to shape 
events and destinies. The language of Malory has 
often been retained, thus giving the story the 
charm of the old-fashioned simplicity and poetic 
beauty of expression as in the original. An ex- 
ception to the above statement is that Tristram 
and Isolde are reserved for another story. 

Thus presented, the work not only affords a story 
of surpassing interest for youth, but one that carries 
with it an influence for noble ideals and actions. 
While it deals with the conflict of arms where the 
spear and the sword are in constant evidence, yet 
it does so usually for high and noble purposes,— 


8 


PREFACE 


to deal justice and to right the wrongs of the weak 
and unfortunate. Nearly all the characters are 
moved by noble impulses, and are types of courage, 
courtesy, and generous actions. The noble order 
of the Table Round was a shrine of virtue in that 
early age of darkness and injustice. King Arthur, 
Sir Galahad, Sir Percivale, and others are model 
knights of worthiness who are ever striving to act 
“worshipfully” and to be true to their knightly 
vows; and Sir Launcelot, “the flower of chivalry,’^ 
was a model of courtesy, gentleness, and courage, 
^possessing all those-4i*aits that call forth the ad- 
miration of the young for noble and heroic deeds. 
No boy can read the story of King Arthur as here 
presented without having aroused within him a 
noble purpose of true and knightly living. That 
it may bring many happy hours to those who 
may chance to read it, kindle in their hearts a love of 
truth and virtue, and awaken high ideals of a life 
of courtesy and courage and knightly deeds, is the 
sincere wish of the author. 

Edward Brooks. 

January i6, ipoo. 


CONTENTS 


OF KING ARTHUR 

CHAP. 

I How Arthur was made King 

II How Arthur Overcame his Enemies 

HI King Arthur meets his Mother 

IV Arthur Extends his Kingdom~. 

V The Combat between Arthur and Pellenore . . . 
VI How Arthur got his Sword Excalibur 

THE BOOK OF THE ROUND TABLE 

I Queen Guinevere and the Round Table 

II The Quest of Gawaine 

HI The Quest of Sir Tor 

IV The Quest of King Pellenore 


PAGB 

13 

22 

31 

35 

39 

46 


50 



72 


THE BOOK OF BALIN 

I How Balin Drew the Damsel’s Sword 79 

II How Balin Fought with Sir Lanceor 87 

HI How Balin Slew the Invisible Knight, Garlon . . 97 

IV How Balin Fought with his Brother Balan .... 105 
V The Fate of Merlin 112 


THE BOOK OF MORGAN LE FAY 

I The Enchantment of Morgan le Fay 119 

II How King Arthur Fought with Sir Accolon ... 125 
HI Morgan le Fay and the Enchanted Mantle .... 133 

IV The Meeting with Sir Marhaus 138 

V The Adventures of Gawaine and his Damsel . . . 144 
VI Sir Marhaus and Ewaine and their Damsels ... 152 


9 


lO 


CONTENTS 


THE BOOK OF SIR GARETH 

CHAP. PAGB 

I How Beaumains became a Knight i6i 

H Beaumains’ s Adventure for the Damsel 169 

HI How Beaumains Conquered the Red Knight .... 185 
IV Beaumains and the Lady Dame Lyones 194 

V How Sir Gareth Became Known 200 

THE BOOK OF SIR LAUNCELOT DU LAKE 

I Sir Launcelot and his First Adventure 212 

H Sir Launcelot and the Damsel of the White 

Palfrey 225 

HI Other Deeds of Sir Launcelot 232 

IV Sir Launcelot Punishes the Treason of Maleagans . 243 

V How Sir Launcelot Saved Queen Guinevere .... 256 

VI Sir Launcelot and Elaine of Astolat 267 

VII Sir Launcelot weds King Pelles’s Daughter by 

Enchantment 280 

THE BOOK OF THE HOLY GRAIL 

I The Quest of the Sangreal 296 

II Sir Galahad and the Floating Sword 299 

HI The Quest of Sir Galahad and Sir Gawaine .... 309 

IV The Quest of Sir Launcelot and §ir Percivale . . 314 

V The Quest of Sir Bors 325 

VI The Quest of Sir Launcelot 334 

VII The Quest of Sir Galahad 341 

THE END OF THE ROUND TABLE 

I The Plot Against Sir Launcelot and the Queen . . 347 
II King Arthur again Attacks Sir Launcelot .... 359 

HI The Death of King Arthur 364 

IV The Deaths of Queen Guinevere and Sir Launcelot 376 


ILLUSTRATIONS 


PAGB 

Ye Ancient City of Camelot Frontispiece 

Merlin Taketh the Child Arthur into his Keeping ... 14 

The Coming of Guinevere 52 

The Ladies View the Dolorous Stroke 107 

Merlin AND ViviANE 115 

Morgan Le Fay Essayeth Magic 135 

Flow Four Queens Found Launcelot Sleeping 217 

How Queen Guinevere Rode on Maying 244 

Sir Launcelot and Elaine le Blanc 268 

Elaine Finds the Mad Sir Launcelot 289 

Sir Galahad Taketh the White Shield 311 

Queen Guinevere Passeth to her Death 350 


The Lady of the Lake Receiveth the Sword Excalibur . 372 


* I 


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THE STORY OF 


King Arthur and His Knights 


OF KING ARTHUR 


CHAPTER I 

HOW ARTHUR WAS MADE KING 

M any years ago there reigned in Britain, now 
called England, a noble sovereign whose 
name was King Arthur. He was the flower 
of chivalry ana the head of the noble order of the 
Knights of the Round Table. These knights were 
the gentlest and * the bravest warriors that ever 
lived; and they did the most marvelous deeds that 
ever knights did in all the world. Of King 
Arthur’s happy reign and the many valiant deeds 
of himself and his knights, it is the purpose of this 
story to relate. 

King Arthur was the son of Uther Pendragon, 
King of Britain, and the fair Igerne of Cornwall. 
To win the fair Igerne for his queen the king 
had been aided by the magic craft of a famous en- 
chanter named Merlin. For this aid the king had 
promised that he would give him their son to be 
brought up as Merlin saw fit. So, when in the 
course of time a son was born to them, the king, 

13 


14 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


in accordance with his promise, gave the boy to 
Merlin, who had him baptized by the name of 
Arthur. Merlin then placed him in keeping of 
a worthy knight named Sir Ector, with whom he 
grew up, not knowing that he was the son of the 
king. 

Now it chanced while Arthur was still a youth 
that King Uther, his father, was taken very sick, 
and it was soon seen that his death was near. Then 
all the knights and nobles of the land were filled 
with grief and awe, for the birth of Arthur had been 
kept a secret from them, and it was supposed that 
the king would leave no heir to the throne to suc- 
ceed him. Then Merlin summoned all the great 
barons of the realm and the Archbishop of Canter- 
bury into the chamber of the dying king, and in 
their presence asked him if it were his will that his 
son Arthur should be heir to the throne. There- 
upon King Uther answered, give him God’s 
blessing and my own, and bid him pray for my soul, 
and also that worshipfully and righteously he shall 
lay claim to the crown on forfeiture of my bless- 
ing.” As soon as he had thus spoken Uther Pen- 
dragon died. 

Now none of the barons understood, or cared 
to understand, the meaning of the king’s dying 
words. They knew nothing of any son of Uther’s 
named Arthur; and Queen Igerne having been 
kept in ignorance of the fate of her son, knew not 


MEI^LIN.TAKETH.THE 
CHILD. Al^THVI^.INTO. 
HI3.KEEPING.Ea 



# 



HOW ARTHUR WAS MADE KING 1 5 

whether he was dead or alive. So a great conten- 
tion arose in the realm ; and everywhere there were 
strife and bloodshed; for all the vassal kings as- 
serted their independence, and every baron who 
could muster a few thousand followers was ready 
to put forward his claim to the crown. 

Now when Merlin saw the country going to ruin 
he counselled the Archbishop of Canterbury to 
summon a meeting of all the great barons and 
nobles at London, on Christmas eve, in the hope 
that at that solemn festival some miracle might be 
wrought that would make manifest to all, to whom 
the throne rightly belonged. So the assembly was 
held, and all the barons and the nobles and many 
knights who had not left the realm were present. 
Among them was Sir Ector who had brought up 
Arthur in ignorance of his birth. He had been 
kind to the boy and had been careful to train him 
in all the knightly exercises and accomplishments 
that were held to be fitting for a man of rank. 
Along with Sir Ector came his son Sir Kay, a 
valiant knight, and with him young Arthur, his 
foster brother, acting in the capacity of his squire. 

A solemn religious service was held in the 
greatest church in London. When the first mass 
had been said, there was seen in the churchyard, 
against the high altar, a great stone four feet square, 
like to a block of marble, and on the top of the 
stone was an anvil of solid steel, a foot in height; 


1 6 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

and in this anvil stuck a fair sword with a jeweled 
hilt upon which were engraven these words, 
'‘Whoso pulleth out this sword from this 

STONE AND ANVIL IS RIGHTWISE BORN KiNG OF 

England.” 

When the archbishop saw it he said, “I counsel 
you that you all keep within the church and pray 
God that no man touch the sword until the high 
mass be all done.” When the masses had all been 
said, all the lords and nobles went out to see the 
stone and the sword. Then, one after another, 
many of them essayed to draw forth the sword, but 
none of them could stir it. When all the nobles and 
knights had tried it, the mystic sword still remained 
firmly fixed in the anvil. Then the archbishop, 
looking upon the assembly, said, “He is not here 
who shall achieve the sword; but no doubt God 
will make him to be known. Let us, therefore, 
appoint ten knights to keep guard about it, and 
make proclamation that every man who will may 
essay it.” 

All this was done as the archbishop suggested. 
Kings and nobles and valiant knights came from all 
parts of the realm; but though most of them es- 
sayed to draw the sword from the anvil, not one 
of them could do so. 

Now Merlin and the archbishop were desirous 
of keeping the lords together; so on New Year’s 
day a tournament was held. Among the knights 


HOW ARTHUR WAS MADE KING 


17 


that rode to take part therein was Sir Kay and 
young Arthur his squire. As they rode toward the 
place of the tournament, Sir Kay found that he had 
left his sword behind him at his father’s lodgings; 
so he bade young Arthur to return and bring his 
sword. With this request Arthur complied, as was 
fitting for a squire ; but when he came to the house 
he found it closed, as the lady and her household 
had all gone to see the jousting. Then was Arthur 
wroth when he found that he could not get Sir 
Kay’s sword. 

Now on his way to the house he had passed by 
the churchyard where the magic sword was stand- 
ing in the anvil ; and remembering this he said, “I 
will ride to the churchyard and take the sword with 
me that sticketh in the anvil, for my brother Kay 
shall not be without a sword this day.” 

So he came to the churchyard, and tying his 
horse to the stile, he went first to the tent where the 
knights abode that had been set to guard the 
sword. But none of them were there, for they had 
all gone to see the jousting. Then he went into 
the churchyard and took the sword by the handle 
and easily drew it from the stone ; and then mount- 
ing his horse again, he carried it to his brother Sir 
Kay. As soon as Sir Kay saw it he knew it was 
the sword of the stone ; and being exceeding proud 
and ambitious, he took the sword and went to his 
father, Sir Ector, and said, ‘‘Sir, lo, here is the 


l8 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

sword of the stone; wherefore I must be chosen 
king of this land.” 

When Sir Ector beheld the sword, knowing to 
whom the throne rightly belonged, he did not be- 
lieve that Sir Kay had drawn forth the sword from 
the anvil. So he led him to the churchyard, 
Arthur also following them, and bade him replace 
the sword, and then again remove it. Sir Kay, 
thinking the charm now broken, promptly obeyed ; 
he put back the sword into its place in the anvil 
readily enough, but when he essayed to draw it 
forth again, his utmost strength did not avail to 
move it. 

'‘Now my son,” said Sir Ector, "I call upon you, 
in the name of the Most High, to tell me truly from 
whom you had the sword.” 

"Sir,” answered Sir Kay, abashed, "by my 
brother Arthur, for he brought it to me.” Then 
Sir Ector, turning to Arthur said, "How got you 
this sword?” "Sir, I will tell you,” said the boy, 
"When I came home for my brother’s sword, I 
found nobody at home for to deliver me his sword, 
and so I remembered the sword in the anvil, and 
I came thither eagerly and pulled it out of the 
stone without effort.” "Did you not find any 
knights guarding the sword?” said Sir Ector. 
"Nay,” said Arthur; "the knights had all gone to 
the jousts.” Then Sir Ector bade Arthur draw 
forth the sword ; and that he did as easily as from a 


HOW ARTHUR WAS MADE KING 


19 


scabbard. At this Sir Ector said to Arthur, ‘'You 
are to be king of this land.” “How is that?” said 
Arthur, “and for what cause am I to be king?” 
And Sir Ector replied, “Because no man could 
have drawn forth this sword unless he was to be 
the rightful king of the land.” Then Sir Ector 
and Sir Kay both fell down upon their knees before 
Arthur. And Arthur looking at them in surprise 
said, “Alas, my own dear father and brother, why 
do ye kneel to me?” 

At this Sir Ector replied, “Nay, my lord Arthur, 
it is not so; I was never your father, nor are you 
of my blood, for you are no son of mine.” Then 
Sir Ector told him how he had received him when 
a child from Merlin and had brought him up as his 
own son. When Arthur heard this, that Sir Ector 
was not his father, he was full of sorrow and made 
a great moan. 

Then Sir Ector said unto Arthur, “Sir, will ye be 
my good and gracious lord when ye are king?” 
“I would be greatly to blame,” said Arthur, “if I 
were not, for you are the man in all the world to 
whom I am most beholden, and your good lady 
that as well as her own hath fostered and kept me. 
And if it ever be God’s will that I be king, as you 
say, you shall desire of me whatever I may do and 
I shall not fail you.” 

“Sir,” said Sir Ector, “I will ask no more of you 
than that you will make my son, your foster brother, 


20 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Sir Kay, seneschal of all your lands.” ‘That shall 
be done,” said Arthur, “and even more, by the faith 
of my body; and never man shall have that office 
but he while he and I shall live.” 

Then they went to the archbishop and told him 
how Arthur had drawn the sword from the anvil. 
And after twelve days another solemn service was 
held, and all the barons came together again ; and 
there in presence of the kings and barons, Arthur 
drew forth the sword from the anvil, though no one 
else could move it. Wherefore many of them were 
very wroth, saying that it was a great shame unto 
them all that the realm should be governed by a 
boy with no high-born blood. So they put off the 
trial until Candlemass when many more great lords 
came hither; but none of them could draw the 
sword but Arthur. Again they put it off until 
Easter ; but at Easter time no one but Arthur could 
draw the sword. And again there was great indig- 
nation, and they put off the trial until the feast of 
Pentecost. 

Now when the day of Pentecost was come, all 
manner of men of every station, high and low, 
essayed to draw the sword ; but none of them could 
prevail with it. But Arthur pulled it forth easily 
before all the lords and commons, as he had done 
before. Then the commons cried out all at once, 
“We will have Arthur for our king; we will put 
him no more in delay ; for we all see that it is God’s 


HOW ARTHUR WAS MADE KING 


21 


will that he should be our king, and who that 
holdeth out against it, we will slay him.” 

Then they all kneeled down, both rich and poor, 
and cried to Arthur for mercy because they had 
been so long in acknowledging him as their king. 
And Arthur forgave them, and took the sword be- 
tween both his hands and offered it upon the altar 
where the archbishop was. And then he was made 
a knight by the best man there. And soon after he 
was crowned king of the land, and was sworn unto 
his lords and commons to be a true king, to 
stand with true justice all the days of his life. Then 
he made Sir Kay seneschal of England, and Sir 
Baudwain constable, and Sir Ulhus chamberlain; 
and Sir Brastias was made warden to wait upon the 
north from Trent forwards, for it was at that time 
for the most part enemy to the king. 


CHAPTER II 


HOW ARTHUR OVERCAME HIS ENEMIES 

A S soon as Arthur became king he began to 
right the wrongs which had been done in 
the land since his father’s death. Many 
lords had been bereft of their lands, and these he 
caused to be restored to their rightful owners. At 
the north he found many who opposed his reign; 
but within a few years he had won the land of Scot- 
land and all that were within its borders. A part 
of Wales held out against him for awhile, but he 
overcame them all through the prowess of himself 
and his valiant knights and barons. 

Then he went into Wales and ordered that a 
feast should be held at Pentecost in the city of 
Caerlon whereat the vassal kings who had not yet 
given in their allegiance might do so. At the time 
agreed upon. King Lot, King Urience, King 
Nantes, and several others of those who had 
aspired to the crown, came marching toward 
Caerlon, each bringing a strong following of men 
and arms; and they camped outside of the city. 


HOW ARTHUR OVERCAME HIS ENEMIES 23 

Arthur was glad when he heard of their coming, 
and he sent out heralds to them with costly 
presents. But they would not receive his gifts, 
saying they had no joy to receive gifts from a 
beardless boy of low parentage, but that they were 
come to bestow gifts upon him in the shape of hard 
blows betwixt the neck and shoulders. 

At this Arthur gathered his barons and knights 
about him, and caused the gates of the city 
to be shut. The kings laid siege to the city, but 
though they had many more fighting men than 
Arthur they could not prevail against him. Soon 
after the war had begun. Merlin came to the camp 
of the kings for which many of them seemed pass- 
ing glad; and they asked him how it was that an 
unknown youth like Arthur had been placed on the 
throne of Britain. Then Merlin said to them that 
it was because Arthur was the son of King Uther 
Pendragon and the fair Igerne; and he told them 
all about Arthur’s birth and his being brought up 
by Sir Ector. But they would not believe the 
story, for being famous knights themselves and 
having a larger army than Arthur, they were sure 
of overcoming him and keeping him from the 
throne. However they asked Merlin to bring out 
Arthur that they might have some words with him 
and some agreement with him; so on Merlin’s ad- 
vice Arthur came out to meet them. Arthur re- 
plied to all their words in a kingly manner, and said 


24 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


that unless they submitted willingly he would make 
them bow to his authority. Then he departed 
from them, leaving them very wroth and full of 
threatening : except that three hundred of the best 
knights among them were so pleased with Arthur 
that they came over to his camp to fight for him. 

Then Merlin said to the rebel chiefs, “What will 
ye do? It were better to submit, for ye shall not 
prevail against him though ye were ten times so 
many.” To this King Lot replied, “We be well 
advised not to mind a dream-reader like yourself.” 
With that Merlin vanished away and came to King 
Arthur and bade him to attack the kings and set 
on them fiercely; but that he should not fight with 
the magic sword which he had drawn from the 
anvil, unless things were going very bad ; but then, 
he said, “Do thou draw it out and do thy best.” 

So forthwith King Arthur set upon them and a 
fierce battle followed. His knights slew many of 
the rebel knights, while he himself did many valiant 
deeds. But now King Lot and King Caradas and 
the king of the hundred knights set upon them 
so fiercely that it seemed as if they would win the 
day. King Arthur was in the foremost press 
smiting before and behind until his horse was slain 
underneath him. Therewith King Lot smote 
down King Arthur ; but his four knights rushed to 
him and set him on horseback again. Then King 
Arthur drew his magic sword that he had drawn 


HOW ARTHUR OVERCAME HIS ENEMIES 25 

from the anvil. It was so bright that it flashed 
into their eyes with the brightness of thirty torches ; 
and with it he slew so many of the foe that those 
who were alive fled from the field. 

But the kings though defeated were not yet ready 
to give up the conflict and yield their submission. 
Then Arthur and his knights held anxious council, 
and they sought the wisdom and counsel of Merlin. 
So Merlin was sent for, and he warned them that 
their enemies were too many for them, and that 
they should send two trusty knights to go over the 
sea and invite King Ban of Benwick and King 
Bors of Cannes to come to his aid. So Sir Ulfius 
and Sir Brastias were selected for the mission. 
They crossed the sea in safety, but while making 
their way to Benwick they were assailed by eight 
of King Claudias’ knights. The odds of four to 
one against them were not at all alarming to Ulfius 
and Brastias, so they put their spears at rest and 
rushed upon their foes and overthrew them all, 
leaving them so badly bruised that they could not 
mount their horses. Then they went to Benwick 
and delivered their letters to the kings. The kings 
were pleased to render King Arthur their aid, and 
promised to come over at All-hallowmass with 
three hundred knights. So King Arthur ap- 
pointed a great tournament for that festival. 

The kings arrived according to their promise 
and were received with much pomp and show. 


26 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


They witnessed the tournament with King Arthur, 
in which many of the knights of the king did 
great feats of arms. On the following day a 
council was held at which Merlin undertook to 
bring over their army to Britain with secrecy and 
dispatch. This he accomplished with great suc- 
cess, bringing ten thousand men across the chan- 
nel and concealing them in the great forest of 
Bedegraine, which at that time covered most of the 
country bet’^een the rivers Trent and Humber. 
The enchanter then informed Arthur and his guests 
what he had done; and the three kings at once 
marched with twenty thousand men, which was the 
total strength of the force that King Arthur was 
able to muster. Having thus joined their forces 
with the troops of Benwick and Cannes, they 
waited for the advance of the enemy. They had 
not long to wait, for the rebel princes had got to- 
gether a force of fifty thousand men with whom 
they marched to attack the king. The battle was 
exceeding severe and lasted for two days. All the 
leaders on both sides were again and again un- 
horsed and put in great peril only to be rescued by 
the valor of their companions. The slaughter was 
very great; but at last the rebel chiefs were driven 
from the field with only fifteen thousand men re- 
maining. With great courage, however, they took 
up a new position, determined to hold it to the 
last. 


HOW ARTHUR OVERCAME HIS ENEMIES 27 

Then Merlin said to Arthur that it was time for 
him to end the contest. He had won the field and 
gained great spoil ; but if he pushed the battle fur- 
ther he foresaw that fortune would incline to the 
side of his foes. He also promised that the rebel 
chieftains would not molest Arthur further for 
three years, as they must leave to meet a great army 
of Saxons which had invaded their own territory 
during their absence. So Arthur did as he was 
advised by Merlin, and withdrew from the contest. 

Soon after this Arthur learned that King Leode- 
grance of Cameliard was sorely pressed by Rience, 
the Saxon King of North Wales; so by the advice 
of Merlin he gathered together his forces and went 
to the relief of the king. Arriving at the city of 
Carohaise, in which King Leodegrance was be- 
sieged, he entered it without being observed by the 
besiegers, and offered his services to the king on 
condition that no inquiry should be made as to 
their name or quality. The offer was gratefully 
accepted and an opportunity was soon afforded 
them to prove their valor. King Rience suddenly 
attacked the city at the head of a large body of 
troops. King Arthur and his knights armed them- 
selves and hastened to sally forth to meet them. 
At their head marched Merlin who carried a won- 
derful, standard, — a huge dragon with barbed tail 
and gaping jaws, and glaring eyes from which there 
flashed active sparks of fire. When this little troop 


28 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


of knights, numbering only forty in all, arrived at 
the gate they found it locked, and the porter re- 
fused to give them egress without an order from 
Leodegrance. There was no time to parley over 
the matter, so Merlin stepped forward and lifted the 
ponderous gate out of its place with all its locks, 
bolts, and bars, gently replacing it when the knights 
had passed through. He then resumed his position 
at their head, and they swept down on a portion of 
the besiegers and cut them to pieces. 

Meanwhile Leodegrance with the bulk of his 
army was fighting in another part of the field. 
Being outnumbered and not having the aid of 
Merlin they were defeated, and Leodegrance was 
taken prisoner. Guinevere, his daughter, had been 
looking at the fight standing on the city wall, and 
when she saw her father captured she was in dread- 
ful distress and tore her hair and swooned away. 
As he was being led away to Rience’s camp, King 
Arthur and his knights fell upon his escort and cut 
them to pieces and rescued the king. 

Now as the fight continued. King Arthur en- 
countered a giant named Caulang, full fifteen feet 
in height; and the fair Guinevere, who already 
had begun to feel a strong interest in the hand- 
some young stranger, trembled for the issue of the 
contest. But Arthur dealing a dreadful blow on 
the shoulder of the monster, cut through his neck 
so that his head hung on one side, and in this con- 


HOW ARTHUR OVERCAME HIS ENEMIES 2g 

dition his horse carried him over the field to the 
great horror and dismay of the Pagans. As 
Guinevere looked upon the scene the wish arose 
in her heart that the gentle knight who had rescued 
her father and dealt so dexterously with the giant 
were destined to become her husband ; and the wish 
was echoed by her attendants. 

At length King Rience was utterly routed and 
his troops fled from the field. The immense spoils 
of his camp were given up, by order of King 
Leodegrance, to Arthur, who forthwith divided 
them among the people of Carohaise, an act which 
much increased the good will in which he was 
already held by the people. On his return to the 
city he was disarmed and conducted to the bath by 
the fair hands of Guinevere, the king’s daughter, 
whose beauty had already made a deep impression 
on his heart. A like honor was done unto his 
companions by the ladies of the court; after which 
they were all conducted to a rich banquet where 
they were served by fair attendants. 

Leodegrance was more and more anxious to 
know the name and quality of the brave knights 
who had aided him in the defeat of his foes. In his 
heart he felt a secret wish that their leader might 
be won by the charms of his daughter, and he 
seemed silent and pensive. Meanwhile Arthur had 
found an opportunity to disclose his feelings for the 
fair Guinevere, and each regarded the other with 


30 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


great esteem and affection. Every day that the 
knights remained they grew in admiration of the 
whole court, and they all looked upon the mutual 
regard of Arthur and Guinevere with approval. 
At length Merlin announced that the object of their 
visit was to procure a bride for their leader who, 
whatever might be his rank, his merits entitled him 
to the possession of the heiress of Cameliard. Then 
Leodegrance presented Guinevere to Arthur, and 
Arthur accepted her with grateful feelings; upon 
which Merlin unfolded the rank of Arthur, when 
Leodegrance and all his barons hastened to do 
homage to their lawful sovereign. The fair 
Guinevere was then solemnly betrothed to Arthur, 
and a splendid festival was proclaimed which lasted 
many days. 


CHAPTER III 


KING ARTHUR MEETS HIS MOTHER 

T hus was King Arthur seated firmly on his 
throne. But who he was he knew not for 
no one had yet revealed the mystery of his 
birth. On a day after hunting in the forest Arthur 
sat in deep thought over a strange dream that he 
had dreamed about some sinful deeds that he had 
done. And as he sat thus in thought, there came 
to him a child of fourteen years and asked him why 
he was so pensive. ‘T may well be pensive,^’ said 
the king, “for I have seen the most marvelous 
sight that ever I saw.” 

“That know I well,” said the seeming child, “and 
I know all thy thoughts. And I can tell thee also 
who was thy father and thy mother, and how and 
when thou wert born.” “That is false,” said King 
Arthur, “for how should a boy of your years know 
my father?” 

“It is not false,” said the child, who was Merlin 
the enchanter in disguise, “for I know it better than 
any person living. Your father was King Uther, 

31 


32 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


and your mother was the fair Igerne.” “1 will not 
believe it/’ said the king; and he was wroth with 
the child. 

Then the child departed, but quickly after that 
there came to the king an old man of four score 
years. And he said to the King, “Why are you 
so sad?” ‘T may well be sad for many things,” 
said the king, “for here was a child just now who 
told me things which it seems to me he could not 
know.” 

“He told you the truth,” said the old man, “and 
would have told you more if you had listened to 
him. But you have done a thing which God is dis- 
pleased with ; and your sister shall bear a son which 
shall destroy you and all the knights of your realm. 
And that is the meaning of your dream in which 
griffons and serpents burnt and slew all before 
them, and wounded yoii to death.” 

As Arthur listened he said, “Who are you that 
tell me these things?” To which the old man re- 
plied, “I am Merlin, and I was also the child that 
came to you.” “Ah,” said King Arthur, “thou art 
a marvelous man, but I marvel much of thy words 
that I must die in battle.” “Marvel not,” said 
Merlin,” that you shall die, for your death will be 
a noble one; but I shall die a shameful death, and 
shall be put in the earth alive for my folly.” 

As they thus talked, horses were brought and the 
king and Merlin mounted them and rode to Car- 


KING ARTHUR MEETS HIS MOTHER 33 

leon. And anon the king called Sir Ector and Sir 
Ulfiiis and asked them if they knew how he was 
born. And they told him that they had learned 
from Merlin that King Uther was his father and 
the Queen Igerne was his mother. 

But King Arthur could not believe, and said to 
Merlin, ‘'I will that the Queen Igerne be sent for, 
that I may speak with her, and if she says so herself, 
then will I believe it.” So in all haste the queen 
was sent for, and she came bringing with her 
Morgan Le Fay, her daughter, a fair lady as any 
might be. 

The king made a great feast in honor of the 
queen and her attendants. In the midst of the 
feast. Sir Ulfius arose and boldly accused the queen 
of falsehood and treason. ‘‘Beware what you say,” 
cried the king. “They are strong words and this 
lady is my guest.” 

“I am well aware of what I speak,” said Sir 
Ulfius, “and here is my glove to prove it on any 
man who shall deny it. And I declare that Queen 
Igerne is the cause of your great wars, and of the 
great damage done to your throne. For had she 
told in the life of King Uther of your birth you 
would have never had your great wars ; for most of 
your barons know not to-day of what blood you 
were born. Therefore I declare her false to God, to 
you, and to all your realm ; and if any man shall say 
me nay, I stand ready to prove it upon his body.” 


3 


34 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Then spake Igerne and said, ‘T am a woman and 
may not fight; but there are no doubt some men 
here who will take my quarrel. Merlin will bear 
me witness that it was King Uther’s wish that the 
birth of my child should not be known; but that 
he should be delivered to Merlin to care for him 
as he pleased. And I have never seen the child 
since and do not know whether he be alive.^’ 

Then Merlin took the king by the hand and led 
him to the Queen Igerne and said, “This is your 
mother.” And therewith Sir Ector bare witness 
how he had received the boy of Merlin wrapped in 
a cloth of gold and how he raised him as his own 
son not knowing who he was, but full sure that he 
was of noble birth. 

At this King Arthur stood for a moment amazed. 
Then he took his mother. Queen Igerne, by the 
hand, and kissed her and she him, most lovingly, 
and they wept in each other’s arms. Then the 
king made a great feast that lasted eight days ; and 
great joy was upon them all to know that the son 
of the great Uther Pendragon had come to the 
throne. And far and wide throughout the land the 
tidings spread that he who had drawn the magic 
sword was the rightful heir to the crown. 


CHAPTER IV 


ARTHUR EXTENDS HIS KINGDOM 

A nd now King Arthur set up his court in 
. Britain and dwelt for many years in peace. 
To his court he invited men of valor and 
learning and introduced such courtesy of speech 
and manners that people from all parts of the world 
thought worthy of imitation ; so that there was not 
a knight or baron who did not aim to have his 
clothes and arms made in the same fashion as those 
of King Arthur’s knights. 

But in time he began to grow weary of his peace- 
ful life and longed to extend his rule to other 
countries. So first he sailed to Norway where he 
fought a great battle with the king of that country 
and, defeating him, he placed his sister’s husband. 
King Lot, upon the throne. Then he sailed for 
Gaul and laid siege to the city of Paris. When the 
siege had lasted a month and the people began to 
suffer from famine, a famous knight, named Flollo, 
challenged Arthur to single combat. Arthur 
gladly met the knight and slew him in the contest, 

35 


3 ^ 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Upon which the citizens gave up the city to him. 
In a short time all Gaul was subject to his sway; 
and he set up his court in Paris, and there estab- 
lished a government for the people. 

Now while his army was encamped in Gaul, there 
came a countryman to Arthur and told him that a 
giant whose cave was on a mountain, called St. 
Michael’s Mount, had for a long time held the cus- 
tom to carry off the children of the peasants to de- 
vour them. “And now,” he said, “he hath taken 
away the Duchess of Brittany, as she rode with her 
attendants, and hath carried her away in spite of all 
that they could do.” 

“Now, fellow,” said King Arthur, “canst thou 
bring me there where this giant haunteth?” “Yea, 
sure,” said the good man; “lo, yonder where thou 
seest two great fires, there shalt thou find him, and 
more treasure than I suppose is in all France be- 
side.” Then the king called to him Sir Bedevere 
and Sir Kay, and commanded them to make ready 
horse and harness for himself and them; for after 
evening he would ride to St. Michael’s Mount. 

So they three departed, and rode forth till they 
came to the foot of the mount. And there the 
king bade them to tarry while he would go up the 
mount. So he ascended the hill until he came to 
a great fire, and there he found an aged woman 
sitting by a new-made grave, making great sorrow. 
Then King Arthur saluted her, and asked her 


ARTHUR EXTENDS HIS KINGDOM 


37 


wherefore she made such lamentation ; to which she 
answered, “Sir Knight, speak low, for yonder is a 
devil, and if he hear thee speak he will come and 
destroy thee. For ye cannot make resistance to 
him, he is so fierce and so strong. He hath mur- 
dered the Duchess, which here lieth, who was the 
fairest of all the world, wife to Sir Hoel, Duke of 
Brittany.” 

“Dame,” said the king, “I come from the noble 
conqueror King Arthur, to treat with that tyrant.” 
“Fie on such treaties,” she said, “for he setteth not 
by the king, nor by no man else.” “Well,” said 
Arthur, “I will accomplish my message for all your 
fearful words.” So he went forth by the crest of 
the hill, and saw where the giant sat at supper, 
gnawing on the limb of a man, and baking his 
•broad limbs at the fire, and three fair damsels lying 
bound, whose lot it was to be devoured in their 
turn. 

When King Arthur beheld that, he had great 
compassion on them, so that his heart bled for sor- 
row. Then he hailed the giant, saying, “He that 
all the world ruleth give thee short life and shame- 
ful death. Why hast thou murdered this Duchess? 
Therefore, come forth, thou caitiff, for this day thou 
shalt die by my hand.” 

At this the giant started up, and took a great 
club, and struck at the king, and smote off his 
coronal; and in return the king struck him in the 


38 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

belly with his sword, making a fearful wound. 
Then the giant threw away his club, and caught the 
king in his arms and pressed him so that he crushed 
his ribs. At this the three maidens kneeled down 
and prayed for help and comfort for King Arthur. 
And the king weltered and wrenched so that he 
was at one while under and another time above the 
giant. And so weltering and wallowing, they 
rolled down the hill, and ever as they weltered, 
King Arthur smote him with his dagger; and by 
good fortune they came where the. two knights 
were. And when the two knights saw the king 
fast in the giant’s arms, they came and loosed him. 
Then the king commanded Sir Kay to smite off 
the giant’s head, and to set it on the truncheon of 
a spear, and to fix it on the barbican, that all the 
people might behold it. This was done, and soon 
it was known throughout all the country; where- 
fore the people came and thanked the king. And 
the king said, ‘‘Give your thanks to God ; and take 
ye the giant’s spoil and divide it among you.” 
And King Arthur caused a church to be budded on 
that hill in honor of St. Michael. 


CHAPTER V 


THE COMBAT BETWEEN ARTHUR AND PELLENORE 

A fter Arthur had subdued all his enemies he 
came to Camelot and set up his court there 
in great splendor and many famous knights 
gathered about him. One day there came into 
the court a squire riding on horseback leading a 
knight before him who had been wounded to death. 
The squire was a young man about the age of 
Arthur, and his name was Griflet. His master, he 
said, had been set upon by a powerful knight in the 
forest who lived in a pavilion beside a spring. “And 
now I beseech you,” he said, “that he may be 
buried, and that some good knight may avenge his 
death.” 

At this tliere was a great outcry in the court, and 
many were eager to undertake the adventure ; but 
Griflet besought Arthur that he should give it to 
him ; and also that he should confer upon him the 
order of knighthood. When the king had heard 
his request, he said to him that he was too young 
for so great an honor as that. But Griflet an- 

39 


40 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


swered him, ''My lord, I beseech you to make me a 
knight, for I wish to avenge my master’s death.” 

Now by chance Merlin heard his request, and he 
said to the king that it would be a pity not to have 
him at his court since it seemed that he would be 
"a passing good man when he became of age.” So 
Arthur, at Merlin’s request, made him a knight, 
and bade him promise that when he had jousted 
with the knight at the fountain that he would re- 
turn to court again, which promise Griflet gladly 
made. 

Then Sir Griflet armed himself with a great 
spear, and rode in great haste till he came to the 
fountain by the wayside. There under a rich 
pavilion stood a horse, well saddled and bridled, 
and on a tree hung a shield with a device of divers 
colors, and also a great spear. Then Sir Griflet 
smote upon the shield with the end of his spear, 
so that the shield fell to the ground. With that 
the knight came out of his pavilion and said, "Fair 
knight, why smote you down my shield?” "Be- 
cause I will joust with you,” answered Sir Griflet. 
"It were better you did not,” said the knight, full 
courteously, "for you are but young and newly 
made a knight, and your might is as nothing to 
mine.” "Let that be as it may,” said Sir Griflet, 
"but I will joust with you.” "I am loth to do so,” 
said the knight ; "but since ye will have it so, I will 
dress myself for it. But whence are you, I would 


ARTHUR AND PELLENORE 


41 


inquire?” '‘I am of Arthur’s court,” Sir Griflet 
said. 

Then they mounted their horses and ran to- 
gether, and Sir Griflet’s spear was shivered on the 
strange knight’s shield, and the knight smote 
Griflet through the shield and wounded him so that 
knight and horse both fell to the ground. When 
the knight saw him lying upon the ground, he was 
sorry, and he alighted and unlaced his helm and set 
him on his horse and praised him, saying he had 
a mighty heart and if he lived he would prove a 
passing good knight. So Sir Griflet rode to court 
and told his tale as well as he could; but though 
sorely wounded, through good leeches his life was 
saved. 

Then King Arthur was passing wroth for the 
hurt of Sir Griflet. And early next morning he 
armed himself secretly and taking his best horse 
and bidding his chamberlain to tarry without the 
city, he rode forth to meet the strange knight. As 
he rode on his way he saw three churls chasing 
Merlin, so he galloped toward them crying, “Flee, 
churls!” and when they saw him they were afraid 
and fled away. 

Then said King Arthur, “O Merlin, thou hadst 
been slain in spite of all thy craft, had I not been 
here.” But Merlin answered, ‘^Nay, not so, 
for I could have saved myself if I would; but 
thou art nearer death than I am. For you are 


42 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


now going to your death if God do not befriend 
you.” 

But the king would not quit the adventure ; so he 
and Merlin rode on until they came to the fountain 
and the rich pavilion by it. And there they saw the 
knight sitting in the pavilion armed. “Sir knight,” 
said the king, “for what cause abideth thou here? 
Is it that no knight may ride this way but that he 
joust with thee? If that is so I advise thee to leave 
that custom.” 

“This custom,” said the knight, “have I used, 
and will use, in spite of any one who may forbid 
it; and any one who is grieved with it, let him 
amend it, if he will.” “I will amend it,” said 
King Arthur. “And I will defend it,” said the 
knight. 

So the knight came out of his pavilion and 
mounted his horse and dressed his shield and took 
a spear, and he and the king ran together so hard 
that their spears were both shivered to pieces, 
though neither lost his seat. Therewith King 
Arthur drew his sword. The knight said, “Nay, 
not so, for it is fairer that we run together again 
with our spears.” “That is well,” said King 
Arthur, “if I had any more spears.” “I have 
spears enough,” said the knight; and forthwith 
there came a squire out of the pavilion bringing 
two good spears; and Arthur took one and the 
knight the other. Then they spurred their horses 


ARTHUR AND PELLENORE 


43 


and came together with all their might so that their 
spears were again broken. 

Then Arthur set hand upon his sword again ; but 
the knight said, “Nay, ye shall do better; for ye are 
a passing good jouster as ever I have met; and so 
for the love of knighthood let us joust once again. 

To this King Arthur gave assent, and the squire 
brought them each another spear. As they rushed 
together again. King Arthur’s spear was shivered 
in his hand ; but the other knight hit him so hard 
in the midst of his shield that horse and man both 
fell to the ground. Then was King Arthur sore 
angered, and he drew his sword and said, “I will 
essay thee, sir knight, on foot, for I have lost the 
honor on horseback.” 

“I will be on horseback,” said the stranger. But 
as the king drew near he sprang from his horse, for 
he thought it was no honor to have a foeman of 
such disadvantage. And then began a strong battle 
with many furious strokes, and so smote they each 
other that pieces of armor and flesh flew into the 
fields, and the ground was covered with their blood. 
And thus they fought, resting awhile and then 
going at it again, until at last they grew so weary 
that they could scarce stand. At length it chanced 
as they smote their swords together, the sword of 
King Arthur broke into two pieces. 

Then said the knight unto Arthur, “Thou art at 
my mercy, to save thee or to slay thee; and now 


44 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


if thou dost not yield thyself as recreant, thou shalt 
die.” “As for death,” said King Arthur, “welcome 
be it when it cometh ; but as me to yield to thee as 
recreant, I had rather die than be so shamed.” 
Then suddenly the king leaped upon the knight and 
took him by the middle and threw him to the 
ground. But the strange knight being very 
strong, he got King Arthur under him and tore 
off his helm and would have smitten off his head. 

Then Merlin, who had stood by, came up and 
said, “Sir knight, hold thy hand; for if thou slay 
that knight thou puttest this realm in the greatest 
dam.age that ever realm was in, for this knight is of 
more worship than thou knowest of.” “Why, who 
is he?” said the knight. “It is King Arthur,” an- 
swered Merlin. 

Then the strange knight raised his hand again 
to kill the king, for he dreaded his wrath ; but Mer- 
lin cast an enchantment upon him so that he fell 
to the earth in a great sleep. Then Merlin placed 
King Arthur on his horse again and he mounted 
the knight’s horse, and they rode away together. 
“Alas!” said King Arthur, “what hast thou done. 
Merlin? Hast thou slain that good knight by thy 
crafts? There lives not so worshipful a knight as 
he ; and I had rather the loss of my lands for a year 
than that he should die.” 

“Fear not,” said Merlin, “for he is more whole 
than yourself; for he is asleep and will waken within 


ARTHUR AND PELLENORE 


45 


three hours. I told you what a knight he was, and 
ye would have been slain by him had I not been 
there. There liveth not a better knight than he is, 
and he shall hereafter do you right good service. 
His name is Pellenore, — the same that hath slain 
King Lot, — and he shall have two sons who shall 
be passing good men ; the one shall be named Per- 
cevale of Wales and the other Lamorache of Wales ; 
and they shall tell you the name of your sister’s 
son that shall be the destruction of all this realm.” 


CHAPTER VI 


HOW KING ARTHUR GOT HIS SWORD EXCALIBUR 

T hen Merlin took the wounded king to a her- 
mit who was a holy man and a great leech. 
The hermit searched his wounds and dressed 
them with a healing salve ; and the king was there 
three days until all his wounds were healed. Then 
they departed; and as they rode Arthur said, ‘T 
have no sword.” “No matter,” answered Merlin, 
“for I know where there is a sword for you.” 

So they rode till they came to a lake, which was 
fair and broad ; and as Arthur looked he saw in the 
middle of the lake an arm raised above the water 
clothed in white samite, that held a fair sword in 
the hand. And Merlin said, “Lo, yonder is the 
sword of which I spake.” And with that they saw a 
damsel going upon the lake. 

“What damsel is that?” asked the king. “That 
is the Lady of the Lake,” replied Merlin ; “and this 
damsel will come to you anon, and then speak ye 
fair to her and she will give you the sword.” So 
the damsel came unto Arthur, and saluted him, and 
he saluted her again. 

46 


HOW KING ARTHUR GOT EXCALIBUR 47 

Then said Arthur, “Damsel, what sword is that 
which yonder arm holdeth above the water? I 
would it were mine, for I have no sword.” “Sir 
King,” replied the damsel, “ that sword is mine, and 
if ye will give me a gift when I ask for it, you 
shall have the sword.” “By my faith,” said King 
Arthur, “I will give you whatever gift ye shall ask.” 
“Well,” said the damsel, “go ye into yonder barge, 
and row yourself out to the sword, and take it and 
the scabbard with you ; and I will ask for my gift 
when I see my time.” 

So King Arthur and Merlin alighted, and tied 
their horses to two trees, and went into the boat; 
and when they came to the sword that the hand 
held, King Arthur took it by the handle, and the 
arm and the hand sunk immediately under the 
water. So they came again to the shore with the 
sword, and mounting their horses they rode forth. 

And as they rode they came to a rich pavilion, 
when Arthur said, “What meaneth that pavilion?” 
“It is the knight’s pavilion,” Merlin said, “the 
knight that ye fought with, whose name is Sir 
Pellenore; but he is not there, as he hath had ado 
with a knight of yours named Egglame; and they 
fought together, but at last Egglame fled, for else 
he would have been killed, and Pellenore chased 
him to Caerlon, and we shall now meet him on the 
way.” “It is well,” quoth King Arthur, “for now 
I have a sword, and I will wage battle with him. 


48 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


if I meet him, and be avenged upon him/' But 
Merlin answered, “Sir, ye shall not do so, for the 
knight is weary of fighting and chasing, so that ye 
would have no honor in doing so. Besides he will 
lightly be matched by any one knight living; and 
therefore my counsel is to let him pass, for he shall 
do you good service in a short time, and his sons 
also in after days.'^ 

To this King Arthur said, “When I see him I 
will do as you advise me." Then King Arthur 
looked upon his sword and liked it passing well; 
and said to Merlin, “I like the sword better than 
the scabbard." But Merlin answered, “In that you 
are unwise, for the scabbard is worth ten of the 
sword, for while you have the scabbard upon you 
you shall lose no blood however sore you may be 
wounded ; therefore keep carefully the scabbard al- 
ways with you." Moreover Merlin told him that 
the name of the sword was Excalihiir, which sig- 
nifies “cut steel," and with this sword Arthur did 
many mighty deeds. 

So they rode toward Caerlon, and by the way 
they met Sir Pellenore. But Merlin cast a spell 
so that Pellenore saw not Arthur, and so passed by 
him without any words. Then said the king, “I 
marvel that the knight did not speak." And Mer- 
lin said, “Sir, he saw you not, for if he had seen you 
he would not lightly have departed." 

So they came to Caerlon, whereof the knights 


HOW KING ARTHUR GOT EXCALIBUR 49 

were passing glad. And when they heard of King 
Arthur’s adventures, they marveled that he would 
risk his person so alone. But all the men of wor- 
ship said it was merry to be under such a chieftain 
that would put his person in peril as other poor 
knights did. 


THE BOOK 

OF THE ROUND TABLE 


CHAPTER I 

QUEEN GUINEVERE AND THE ROUND TABLE 

I N the beginning of the reign of King Arthur 
who was chosen king by the adventure of the 
sword, the most of the barons did not know 
that he was the son of Uther Pendragon. So, many 
of them made a great war against King Arthur ; but 
he overcame them all. And in these wars as in all 
things else he was much ruled by the counsel of 
Merlin. 

So it befell upon a time that King Arthur said 
to Merlin, “My barons will let me have no rest, but 
they needs will have me take a wdfe ; and I will take 
no counsel in this matter but thy own.’' “It is well 
done,” said Merlin, “that ye take a wife, for a man 
of your bounty and nobleness should not be with- 
out a wife. Now is there any fair lady that ye love 
better than another?” 

“Yes,” said King Arthur, “I love Guinevere, the 

50 


THE QUEEN AND THE ROUND TABLE 5 1 

daughter of King Leodegrance, of the land of 
Cameliard; and King Leodegrance holdeth in his 
house the Table Round that ye told me that he had 
of my father Uther. And this damsel is the 
gentlest and the fairest lady that I know living, or 
yet that I ever could find.” 

^‘Sir,” said Merlin, “as of her beauty and fairness 
she is one of the fairest that lives ; but if ye loved her 
not as well as ye do, I would find you another 
damsel of beauty and goodness, that should like 
you and please you ; but I see that your heart is set 
upon her, and where a man’s heart is set he will be 
loth to return.” 

“That is truth,” said Arthur. But Merlin warned 
the king privily that Guinevere was not whole- 
some for him to take to wife, for that in time 
another knight would love her, even Launcelot, 
and she him in return. But the king would have 
none other than Guinevere, so Merlin desired of 
the king to have men with him and he would go 
and inquire of Guinevere whether she would be 
King Arthur’s wife; and so the king granted him. 

Then Merlin went forth to King Leodegrance of 
Cameliard, and told him of the desire of the king: 
that he would have for his wife his daughter Guine- 
vere. “That is to me,” said King Leodegrance, 
“the best tidings that I ever heard, that so worthy 
a king of prowess and nobleness will wed my 
daughter; and, as for my lands, I would give him 


52 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

much if it please him; but he hath land enough 
already. But I shall send him a gift that shall 
please him much more; for I shall give him the 
Table Round, the which his father, Uther Pen- 
dragon, gave me.” 

Now the Round Table had been ordained by 
Uther Pendragon, King Arthur’s father, at the 
suggestion of Merlin, the enchanter. It consisted 
of a hundred and fifty knights who sat around in 
the form of a circle. These knights were the 
noblest and the bravest that the world ever saw, 
and did the most marvelous deeds that the world 
ever knew. No one could be admitted to the order 
unless he was of royal or noble blood, or was noted 
for great strength or skill in arms, or for deeds of 
valor. They were all required to swear a solemn 
oath to give aid to one another even at peril of 
their lives; to be ever ready to undertake danger- 
ous adventures; to be faithful to their liege lord; 
and to be willing on all occasions to defend and 
protect the weaker sex from wrong. 

And so King Leodegrance delivered his daughter 
Guinevere unto Merlin, and also the Table Round, 
with a hundred knights, there being a lack of fifty, 
so many having been killed in the wars. And so 
they rode freshly forth with great royalty, till they 
came to London. 

When King Arthur heard of the coming of 
Guinevere, and the hundred knights of the Round 
















THE QUEEN AND THE ROUND TABLE 53 

Table, his heart was filled with joy; and he said 
openly, “This fair lady is passing welcome to me, 
for I have loved her long, and therefore there is 
nothing so pleasing to me ; and these knights with 
the Round Table please me more than great 
riches.” 

Then in all haste the king arranged for the mar- 
riage and the coronation, in the most honorable 
wise that could be devised. And King Arthur said 
to Merlin, “Go thou through the land and select for 
me fifty knights of most prowess and worship.” 
So Merlin went with the best speed he could, and 
found twenty-eight good knights; but no more 
could be found. Then the Archbishop of Canter- 
bury was sent for; and he blessed the seats, called 
sieges, of his Round Table with great royalty and 
devotion ; and there sat the twenty-eight knights 
in their seats. And when this was done. Merlin 
said, “Fair sirs, ye must all arise and come unto 
King Arthur to do him homage; and he will have 
the better will to maintain you.” And so they 
arose and did their homage to the king. 

And when they were gone, Merlin found in the 
sieges letters of gold that told the knights’ names 
that had sat therein. But two sieges were vacant. 
And anon came young Gawaine, and asked the 
king for a gift. “Ask,” said the king, “and I shall 
grant it.” “Sir,” said Gawaine, “I ask that ye will 
make me a knight the same day that ye shall wed 


54 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


fair Guinevere.” “I will do it with a good will,” 
said King Arthur, ‘^and give ye all the worship that 
I may; for I must do so by reason you are my 
nephew and sister’s son.” 

And anon there came a poor man into the court 
and brought with him a fair young man of eighteen 
years of age, riding upon a lean mare. And when 
the poor man came before the king he saluted him 
and said, “O King Arthur, the flower of all knights 
and kings, I beseech Jesu to save thee. It was 
told me that at the time of your marriage ye would 
give any man the gift that he would ask unless it 
was unreasonable.” 

‘That is true,” said the king, “so I have said and 
so I will do, if it impair not my realm or my estate.” 
“That is graciously said,” replied the poor man, 
“and now what I ask is that ye make my son here 
a knight.” 

“That is a great thing to ask,” said the king. 
“What is thy name?” And the poor man replied, 
“My name is Aries the cowherd; and this desire 
cometh not from me, but from my son. For I have 
thirteen sons and all of them do labor ; but this son 
would never work like the others, but will always 
be shooting or casting darts, glad to see battles and 
knights; and both day and night desireth of me 
that he may become a knight.” 

Then Arthur turning to the young man said, 
“What is thy name?” And the young man replied. 


THE QUEEN AND THE ROUND TABLE 55 

‘‘My name is Tor.” Then the king looked at him 
and saw that he was well visaged and passingly well 
made for his years. So he said, “Where is the 
sword that ye shall be. made knight withal?” “It 
is here,” answered Tor. 

Then Tor alighted from his mare and pulled out 
his sword, and kneeling asked the king that he 
would make him a knight of the Round Table. 
And the king taking his sword smote him lightly on 
the neck saying, “Be a good knight ; and so I pray 
to God ye may be; and if ye be of prowess and 
of worthiness, ye shall be a knight of the Round 
Table.” 

Then Arthur called to Merlin and asked him to 
tell him whether this Tor would be a good knight 
or no. And Merlin said, “Yea, sir, he ought to be 
a good knight, for he is come of a good man as any 
one alive, for he is not the son of the cowherd, but 
King Pellenore is his father.” 

At this the cowherd was greatly surprised, and 
he would not believe it at first; but when inquiry 
was made he found that Merlin had spoken the 
truth, and that Tor was really the son of King 
Pellenore. On the morrow, as it chanced. King 
Pellenore came to the court of King Arthur, and 
Arthur told him of Tor, how he was his son, and 
how he had made him a knight at the request of 
the cowherd. And when King Pellenore beheld 
Tor he was much pleased with him. 


56 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

And the king said to Merlin, ‘AVhat is the cause 
that there are two places vacant in the sieges?” 
“Sir,” said Merlin, “there shall no man sit in those 
places but they shall be of most worship. And in 
the Seat Perilous, there shall no man sit therein but 
one ; and if there be any so hardy to do it, he shall 
be destroyed; and he that shall sit there shall have 
no fellow.” And therewith Merlin took King 
Pellenore by the hand and led him to one of the 
highest seats at the Round Table, and said before 
them all that he was more worthy to sit thereon 
than any other there. 

At this Sir Gawaine was very angry with envy, 
and said to Gaheris, his brother, “Yonder knight 
is put unto great worship ; which grieveth me sore, 
for he slew our father. King Lot; therefore I will 
slay him.” “Ye shall not do so,” said Gaheris, “at 
this time, for I am yet but a squire; but when I am 
made a knight, I will be avenged on him. There- 
fore, brother, it is best that ye wait till another time 
when we have him out of court, for if we slay him 
now we shall trouble this high feast.” And Ga- 
waine replied, “Let it be as ye will.” 

Then the feast was made ready and the king 
was wedded at Camelot unto dame Guinevere, in 
the church of St. Stevens, with great solemnity. 
And as every man was seated according to his de- 
gree, Merlin went unto all the knights of the Round 
Table and bade them sit still and that none should 


THE QUEEN AND THE ROUND TABLE 57 

remove, “for,” he said, “ye shall see a marvelous 
adventure.” 

. So as they all sat still, there came running a white 
hart into the hall, and close after him a white 
hound, and thirty couples of black hounds came 
running after them with a great cry. The hart 
went about the Table Round, and as he went by the 
other tables, the white hound caught him and tore 
out a piece of flesh from his thigh, whereat the hart 
took a great leap and overthrew a knight that sat 
beside the table. And therewith the knight arose 
and took up the hound and so went forth out of the 
hall, and took his horse, and rode on his way with 
the hound. 

Soon after there came in a lady mounted on 
a white palfrey, and cried aloud to King Arthur, 
saying, “Sir, suffer me not to have despite, for the 
hound was mine that the knight led away.” With 
this there came an armed knight riding on a great 
horse, and took the lady with him by force ; and she 
cried and made a great uproar. 

When the lady was gone. Merlin, speaking to 
the king, said that unless these adventures were 
taken up it would be a great dishonor ; to which the 
king said that whatever he advised should be done. 
Then said Merlin, “Let us call Sir Gawaine, for he 
must bring again the white hart ; also ye must call 
Sir Tor, for he must bring again the hound and 
the knight, or else slay him; also let us call Sir 


58 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

Pellenore, for he must bring again the lady and the 
knight, or else slay him; and these three knights 
shall do marvelous adventures ere they come 
again.’’ 

Then they were all three called, and each of them 
took his charge to make their quests as had been 
said; and they armed themselves accordingly and 
set forth without delay. 


CHAPTER II 


THE QUEST OF GAWAINE 

N OW Sir Gawaine rode forth on his quest and 
his brother Gaheris rode with him in place 
of a squire. When they had gone some 
little way they saw two knights fighting on horse- 
back. So Sir Gawaine rode between them and 
asked them for what cause they fought so fiercely. 

And one of the knights answered, saying, ^'We 
fight for a simple matter, for we are two brothers, 
born and begotten of one man and of one woman.’’ 
“Alas,” said Sir Gawaine, “why do ye do so?” “Sir,” 
said the elder knight, “there came a white hart this 
way to-day, and many hounds chasing it, and a 
white hound was always near it ; and we understood 
that it was an adventure made for the high feast of 
King Arthur. As I was the elder, I thought I 
should have gone after it ; but my younger brother 
said that he was a better knight than I, and that 
he should go after it; and for this cause we fell to 
fighting to prove which of us is the better knight.” 
“This is a simple cause for fighting,” said Sir 

59 


6o 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Gawaine, ‘‘for ye should fight with strange men, 
and not brother with brother. Therefore if ye will 
not take my counsel ye shall fight with me or yield 
unto me, that ye may go to King Arthur and yield 
unto his grace.’’ 

“Sir knight,” said the two brothers, “we are 
weary with our fight and much blood have we lost 
through our wilfulness ; and therefore we would be 
loth to have an ado with you. We will therefore 
do as you have bidden; but by whom shall we say 
that we were sent thither?” “Ye may say by the 
knight that followeth the quest of the white hart. 
But I would also know your names,” said Gawaine. 
“My name is Sorlouise of the Forest,” said the 
elder ; “And my name,” said the younger, “is Brian 
of the Forest.” And so they departed and went 
to King Arthur’s court. 

And as Sir Gawaine and Gaheris followed the 
hart by the cry of the hounds, they came to a great 
river ; and the hart swam over. But as Sir Gawaine 
would have followed after, he saw a knight stand- 
ing on the other side who said, “Sir knight, come 
not over after the hart unless you will joust with 
me.” 

To this Sir Gawaine replied, “I will not fail to 
follow the quest I am in.” So he made his horse to 
swim over the water; and when he reached the 
other side the two knights got their spears ready 
and ran together full hard ; and Sir Gawaine smote 


THE QUEST OF GAWAINE 


6l 


the knight from his horse, and then turned upon 
him and bade him yield. ‘‘Nay,” said the knight, 
“not so, though you have the better of me on horse- 
back. I pray thee to alight and match me with 
your sword.” “What is your name?” said Sir 
Gawaine. “Allardin of the Isles,” said the knight. 

Then Sir Gawaine alighted from his horse, and 
the two knights rushed together with their swords, 
and Sir Gawaine smote him through the helm so 
hard that the sword pierced even to his brains, and 
the knight fell down dead. “Ah,” said Gaheris, 
“that was a mighty stroke for a young knight.” 

Then Sir Gawaine and Gaheris rode after the 
hart and chased it into a castle and set on it six 
greyhounds who slew the hart. At this a knight 
came out of the castle with a sword in his hand and 
slew two of the hounds and chased the others with 
the sword out of the castle. Then he said, “Oh, 
my white hart, I am sorry thou art dead, for my 
sovereign lady gave thee to me, and thy death will 
cost me dear, if I live.” 

Then Sir Gawaine said to him, “Why hast thou 
slain my hounds? for they did but as their kind; I 
had rather ye would have wreaked your anger on 
me.” “Thou sayest truth,” said the knight; “I 
have avenged me on thy hounds, and so I will on 
thee.” Then they dressed their shields and drew 
their swords and smote each other so mightily that 
they clave their shields and stunned their helms. 


62 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


and broke their Havelocks, so that the blood ran 
down to their feet. At last Sir Gawaine smote the 
knight so hard that he fell to the earth ; and then he 
yielded himself and cried for mercy. 

But Sir Gawaine said, “Thou shalt die, for slay- 
ing my hounds.” “I will make amends as I am 
able,” said the knight. But Sir Gawaine would 
show no mercy, and unlaced his helm and drew his 
sword to strike off his head. Suddenly the 
knight’s lady came out of her chamber and rushing 
to the knight fell on him to shield him, and Ga- 
waine not seeing her smote off her head instead of 
the knight’s. 

“Alas,” said Gaheris, “that is foully and shame- 
fully done, and the shame of that blow will never 
leave you. Moreover, you should give mercy unto 
them that ask mercy, for a knight without mercy 
is without worship.” But Sir Gawaine was so be- 
wildered at the death of the fair lady that for a 
moment he knew not what he did; and anon he 
said to the knight, “Arise, and I will give you 
mercy.” “Nay, nay,” said the knight, “I will have 
no mercy now, for thou hast slain my love and my 
lady, one whom I loved best of all earthly things.” 

“I regret it sorely,” said Gawaine, “for I thought 
to have stricken at you; but now thou shalt go to 
King Arthur, and tell him of your adventure 
and how you were overcome by the knight 
that went in quest of the white hart.” “I 


THE QUEST OF GAWAINE 63 

care not whether I live or die,” said the knight; 
but nevertheless, for dread of death he swore to go 
to King Arthur, and agreed to bear one greyhound 
before him upon his horse and another behind him. 
Then telling Sir Gawaine that his name was Abla- 
more of the Marsh, he departed towards Camelot. 

Then Sir Gawaine went into the castle and made 
ready to remain there all night. And he would 
have unarmed himself, but Gaheris said that he 
should not unarm himself in a place where there 
may be enemies about. And even as he spake 
there came four knights well armed, and assailed 
Sir Gawaine, saying unto him, ^Thou new-made 
knight, thou hast shamed thy knighthood, for a 
knight without mercy is dishonored. Thou hast 
also slain a fair lady which is unto thee a shame 
forevermore.” 

And therewith one of the knights smote Sir Ga- 
waine such a stroke that it came near felling him 
to the earth; and another knight with a bow and 
archer smote him through the arm; and the four 
knights were such dangerous fighters that both 
Gawaine and Gaheris were in peril of their lives. 
Now as they both might have been slain, there 
came four ladies out of the castle and besought the 
four knights for grace on behalf of Sir Gawaine. 
And at the request of the ladies they gave Sir Ga- 
waine and Gaheris their lives, and made them yield 
themselves as prisoners. And Sir Gawaine made 


64 the story of king Arthur 

great moan for his arm, saying, “Alas, my arm 
grieveth me sore, and I am like to be maimed.” 

On the morrow early came one of the four ladies 
to Sir Gawaine, one who had heard his complaint, 
and said, “Sir Gawaine, what cheer?” “Not good,” 
Sir Gawaine replied. “It is your own default,” said 
the lady, “for ye have done a passing foul deed in 
slaying the lady, which will be a great villainy to 
you. But are ye not Arthur’s kin?” said the lady. 
“Yes, truly,” said Gawaine. “What is your name?” 
said the lady, “ye must tell it before you can pass.” 
“My name is Gawaine, King Lot’s son, and my 
mother is King Arthur’s sister.” 

“Ah, then ye are nephew to King Arthur,” said 
the lady, “and I shall so speak for you that ye shall 
have conduct to go to King Arthur for his list.” 
And so she departed and told the four knights how 
their prisoner was King Arthur’s nephew, and his 
name was Gawaine. Then they gave him the head 
of the white hart, as it was his quest. 

Then anon they let him go with the promise that 
he bear the dead body of the lady with him in this 
manner : her head was hanging about his neck, and 
her whole body lay before him on the mane of his 
horse ; and in this manner he rode toward Camelot. 
And when he came to court and told of his ad- 
venture, the king and queen were greatly displeased 
with him that he had refused mercy to the knight, 
and for the slaying of the lady. And they set an 


THE QUEST OF GAWAINE 


65 


inquest of ladies on Sir Gawaine, and their sentence 
was that ever while he lived he should be an especial 
champion of ladies, that he should fight for their 
quarrels, and be ever courteous, and never refuse 
mercy to him that asketh mercy. 

This Gawaine swore to perform, on the books of 
the four Evangelists. And thus endeth the ad- 
ventures of Sir Gawaine, which he did at the mar- 
riage of King Arthur. 


5 


CHAPTER HI 


THE QUEST OF SIR TOR 

T he second quest was that of Sir Tor. As soon 
as he was ready he mounted his horse and 
rode forth at a good pace after the knight 
with the hound. On his way he met a dwarf who 
struck his horse on the head with his staff so that 
he went backward more than his spear’s length. 

At this Sir Tor said to the dwarf, ‘‘For what in- 
tent doth thou smite my horse?” “That thou shalt 
not pass this way,” answered the dwarf, “unless 
thou first joust with yonder knights that abide in 
yonder pavilions which thou seest.” Then Sir Tor, 
looking up, saw two pavilions set up by the road- 
side, with great spears standing out and two shields 
hung on two trees by the pavilions. 

As Sir Tor stood looking upon them, there came 
out of one pavilion a knight full armed, on horse- 
back; and he came fast toward Sir Tor; and Sir 
Tor met him and rode upon him and bore him 
down from his horse. As the knight yielded him- 
self he said, “I have a fellow in yon pavilion that 
66 


THE QUEST OF SIR TOR 67 

will also have with you anon.” “He shall be wel- 
come,” said Sir Tor. 

Then the other knight came riding forth, and as 
he and Sir Tor rushed together the knight smote 
Sir Tor a great stroke in the midst of his shield, 
and his spear was all shivered; and Sir Tor smote 
him through the shield and wounded the knight 
in the side, but did not slay him. Then Sir Tor 
alighted from his horse and smote him with his 
sword upon the helm; and therewith the knight 
yielded and besought him of mercy. “I will grant 
thee mercy,” said Sir Tor, “but thou and thy fellow 
must go unto King Arthur and yield yourselves 
prisoners to him.” “By whom shall we say we were 
sent hither?” said the knight. “Ye shall say,” said 
Sir Tor, “by the knight that went with the hound.” 

At this came the dwarf and said to Sir Tor, “I 
pray you, give me a gift.” “I will,” said Sir Tor, 
“but what is the gift that you desire?” “I ask no 
more,” said the dwarf, “but that ye will suffer me to 
be in your service, for I serve no more recreant 
knights.” “Then take a horse,” said Sir Tor, “and 
come on and ride with me after the knight with the 
white hound.” “I shall bring you where he is,” 
said the dwarf, and so they rode through the forest, 
and the dwarf brought him to two pavilions near 
by a priory, at one of which hung a white shield 
and at the other a red shield. 

Therewith Sir Tor alighted and gave the dwarf 


68 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


his spear, and so came to the white pavilion and 
saw there three damsels in it lying on a pallet sleep- 
ing. And then he went to the other pavilion, and 
therein he found a fair lady sleeping ; and there was 
the white hound at her feet. And when the hound 
saw Sir Tor, it bayed so lustily that the lady awoke 
and went out of the pavilion with all her damsels. 
And Sir Tor took the white hound in his arms and 
gave it in charge of his dwarf. 

And the lady said, '‘Sir knight, you will not take 
away my hound from me?” “That must I do,” 
said Sir Tor, “for this hound have I sought from 
King Arthur’s court to this place.” “Well,” said 
the lady, “you may take it if you will, but you shall 
not go far with it until you shall be met and 
punished.” “I shall abide whatever adventure 
cometh,” said Sir Tor, and so he mounted his horse 
and rode towards Camelot. 

As the night came on he asked the dwarf if he 
knew of any place where they might lodge. “I 
know of none,” said the dwarf, “but here beside the 
hermitage; but we must take such lodging as we 
can find.” And so they came to the hermitage and 
took lodging. And on the morrow as they left. 
Sir Tor besought the hermit to pray for him; and 
so he mounted his horse and rode on toward 
Camelot. 

And anon they heard a knight behind them call- 
ing aloud, saying, “Sir knight, abide and yield me 


THE QUEST OF SIR TOR 


69 


the hound that ye took from my lady.” At this 
Sir Tor turned his horse and saw that he was a 
seemly knight and well horsed, and armed at every 
point. So Sir Tor dressed his shield and took his 
spear in his hand, as the other knight came riding 
fiercely upon him. And they smote each other so 
that both horses and men fell to the earth. Then 
they lightly arose, and drew their swords, and 
rushed upon each other like lions, and smote 
through their shields and wounded each other so 
that the blood ran to the ground. At length both 
became very weary. But Sir Tor espied that the 
other knight was faint, so he rushed upon him and 
doubled his strokes, and smote him to the ground. 

“Now yield ye to my mercy, sir knight,” said Sir 
Tor. “That I will not,” said the knight, “while my 
life lasteth, and the soul is within my body, unless 
that thou wilt give me the hound.” ^‘That will I 
not,” said Sir Tor, “for it was my quest to bring 
again the hound and thee to King Arthur, or else 
slay thee.” 

With that a damsel came riding on a palfrey, as 
fast as she might drive, and cried with a loud voice 
unto Sir Tor. “What will ye with me?” said Sir 
Tor to the damsel. “I beseech thee,” said the 
damsel, “for King Arthur’s love, that ye give me 
a gift ; I ask this, gentle knight, as thou art a gentle- 
man.” “Well,” said Sir Tor, “ask a gift and I will 
give it you.” 


70 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

Then the damsel said, “I ask the head of this false 
knight, Abellius, for he is the most outrageous 
knight that liveth, and the greatest murderer.” ‘T 
am right sorry,” said Sir Tor, ‘‘of the gift that I 
have granted; but let him make thee amends in 
that which he hath done thee wrong.” “He cannot 
make amends,” said the damsel, “for he hath slain 
my own brother, which was a better knight than 
ever he was, and he had no mercy upon him, inas- 
much as I kneeled half an hour in the mire before 
him to save my brother’s life, who had done him 
no wrong, but only fought with him as knights of 
adventure do. And for all I could do or say he 
smote off my brother’s head; wherefore, I require 
thee, as thou art a true knight, to give me my gift, 
or else I shall shame thee in all the court of King 
Arthur, for he is the falsest knight living, and a 
great destroyer of good knights.” 

When Abellius heard this he was sore afraid, and 
yielded himself and asked for mercy. And when 
Sir Tor would not promise it he sprang to his feet 
and fled. But Sir Tor ran after him and caught 
him and smote off his head. Then the lady took 
Sir Tor to her home and she and her husband made 
good cheer for him. And on the morrow he heard 
mass and broke his fast, and then took his leave of 
the knight and his lady, and came to Camelot on 
the third day at noon. 

The king and the queen and all the court were 


THE QUEST OF SIR TOR 


71 


passing glad at his coming, and made great joy to 
receive him, for he went from the court with little 
help. And when he told his adventures. Merlin 
said, “These are but trifles to what he shall do ; for 
he shall prove a noble knight of prowess, as good 
as any living, and gentle and courteous, and full of 
good parts, and passing true to his promise.” 

At these words of Merlin, King Arthur gave Sir 
Tor an earldom of lands that had fallen to the king. 
And so endeth the quest of Sir Tor, the son of King 
Pellenore. 


CHAPTER IV 


THE QUEST OF KING PELLENORE 

T hen King Pellenore armed himself and 
mounted his horse and rode away after the 
lady that the knight had carried away. And 
as he rode in the forest he saw a damsel sitting by 
a well with a wounded knight in her arms. As 
King Pellenore saluted her she cried to him, ‘‘Help 
me, knight, for Christ’s sake.” 

But King Pellenore was so eager in his quest that 
he would not tarry ; and the lady cried more than a 
hundred times to him for help. And when she saw 
that he would not abide she prayed unto God that 
He would send him as much need of help as she 
had, and that he might know it ere he died. 
Presently the wounded knight died, and the lady, 
out of pure sorrow, slew herself with her lover’s 
sword. 

As King Pellenore rode on through the valley, 
he met with a poor laboring man ; and said to him, 
“Sawest thou not a knight riding and leading away 
a lady?” “Yes,” said the poor man, “I saw the 
knight, and the lady was making a great moan; 
72 


THE QUEST OF KING PELLENORE 


73 


and yonder in the valley he met another knight, 
and they are fighting for her, and she is left in 
keeping of their squires/’ “God thank thee,” said 
King Pellenore; and he rode his horse upon a 
gallop till he came to the place where the two 
knights were fighting. 

Soon he saw the lady that was his quest, and said 
to her, “Fair lady, ye must come with me to King 
Arthur’s court.” “Sir knight,” said the two 
squires that were with her, “go to them and part 
them, and be agreed with them, and then may ye 
have the lady at your pleasure.” “Ye say well,” 
said King Pellenore; and anon he rode between 
them and parted them and asked the cause why 
they fought. 

Then one of them said, “This lady is my kins- 
woman, and when I heard her complain that she 
was with this knight against her will, I waged battle 
with him that he should release her.” “Sir knight,” 
said the other, “this lady is mine, for I won her by 
my prowess of arms at King Arthur’s court.” 
“That is untruly said,” quoth King Pellenore, “for 
ye came there suddenly and took away this lady be- 
fore any one could prevent it. Therefore it is my 
quest to bring her back again and you also, or else 
one of us will abide in the field. For the lady shall 
go with me to King Arthur, so fight no more, or if 
ye list to fight for her, ye will fight with me and I 
will defend her.” 


74 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


“Well,” said the knight, “make ready and we 
shall strive with you with all our power.” Now the 
knight was on foot, and as King Pellenore was get- 
ting off his horse to fight him evenly in the field, 
he came up craftily and ran his horse through with 
the sword, saying, “Now thou art on foot as well 
as we.” 

When King Pellenore saw that his horse was 
thus slain, he was exceeding wroth, and he drew 
out his sword and put his shield before him and 
cried, “Knight, keep well thy head; for thou shalt 
have a buffet for slaying my horse.” So saying. 
King Pellenore gave the knight such a stroke upon 
the helm that he clave down the head to the chin, 
and therewith the knight fell to the earth and died. 

And then he turned him to the other knight who 
was sore wounded ; but when he saw the buffet that 
the other had received, he would not fight; but 
kneeled down and said, “Take the lady, my cousin, 
with you ; but as a true knight, put her to no shame 
or villainy.” “What,” said King Pellenore, “will ye 
not fight for her?” “No, sir,” said the knight, “I 
will not fight with a knight of such prowess as you.” 

“Well,” said King Pellenore, “I promise you she 
shall be well cared for, as I am a true knight. But 
now I have no horse, so I will take this dead 
knight’s horse.” “Ye shall not need it,” said the 
knight, “for I shall give you such a horse as shall 
please you; and now you will lodge with me to- 


THE QUEST OF KING PELLENORE 75 

night.” So King Pellenore agreed to abide with 
him all night. 

And on the morrow he heard a mass and after- 
ward dined; and then they brought to him a fair 
bay courser, with King Pellenore’s saddle upon 
him. Then they asked him his name, and when he 
told them that he was King Pellenore, the knight, 
whose name was Sir Meliot, said that he was right 
glad to have the lady, his cousin, in charge of so 
noble a man. And so King Pellenore departed 
with the lady to bring her to Camelot. 

As they rode in a valley that was full of stones, 
the lady’s horse stumbled and threw her down, and 
bruised her arm so that she nearly swooned for 
pain. So he alighted from his horse and laid the 
lady on the grass and laid himself under a tree and 
slept until it was night. Then as it was so dark 
they could not see their way to ride further. King 
Pellenore took off his armor to rest there for the 
night. 

Now a little before midnight they heard the 
tramping of a horse. ‘‘Be ye still,” said King 
Pellenore, “for we shall have some adventure.” 
Therewith he armed himself and waited. Soon he 
saw right before him two knights; the one had 
come from Camelot and the other from the north ; 
and as they met they saluted each other. “What 
tidings at Camelot?” said one of the knights. “By 
my head,” said the other, “I have been there and 


76 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

espied the court of King Arthur ; and there is such 
fellowship there that may never be broken, and well 
nigh all the world holdeth with King Arthur; for 
there is the flower of chivalry. And I am riding 
north to tell our chieftains of the fellowship that is 
withholden with King Arthur.” 

“As for that,” said the other knight, “I have a 
remedy with me that is the greatest poison that was 
ever heard speak of, and I will take it to Camelot ; 
for we have a friend right nigh to King Arthur that 
shall poison the king; so he hath promised our 
chieftains, and hath received great gifts to do it.” 
“Beware,” said the other knight, “of Merlin, for 
he knoweth all things by the craft of magic.” 
“Therefore will I not permit it,” said the knight. 
And so they parted asunder. Anon King Pellenore 
made himself ready, and also his lady, and they rode 
towards Camelot. As they came by the well where 
the lady and the wounded knight had lain, they 
found that the lady had been eaten by lions all but 
the head ; wherefore he wept passing sore, and said, 
“Alas, her life I might have saved, but I was so 
fierce in my quest that I would not wait. And my 
heart mourneth sore for her death, for she was a 
passing fair lady, and so young.” 

Then his lady said, “Now shall ye do as I bid 
you; take this knight and bring him in a her- 
mitage, and then take the lady's head and bear it 
with you to King Arthur’s court.” So King Pelle- 


THE QUEST OF KING PELLENORE 


77 


nore took the dead knight upon his shoulders and 
bore him to the hermitage and charged the hermit 
to bury him, and that service should be done for 
his soul. 

Then they departed bearing with them the head 
of the lady with fair yellow hair; which grieved 
King Pellenore passing sore when he looked on it, 
for much he cast his heart on the visage. And so 
by noon they came to Camelot; and King Arthur 
and Queen Guinevere were passing glad at his 
coming to the court ; and there he told them all the 
truth of his quest. 

“Ah, Sir Pellenore,” said the queen, “ye were 
greatly to blame that ye saved not the lady’s life.” 
“Madam,” said King Pellenore, “I was so furious in 
my quest that I would not wait, and I repent and 
shall do so all my days.” “Truly,” said Merlin, “ye 
ought sorely to repent it ; for the lady was your own 
daughter, born of the Lady of the Rule; and the 
knight that was dead was her lover, and should have 
wedded her, and he was a right good knight, and 
was coming to King Arthur’s court. And because 
ye have done this thing, ye shall see your best friend 
fail you when you are in greatest distress, and shall 
leave you there as ye shall be slain.” 

And thus ended the three quests of the hart, and 
the hound, and the lady, which were the first adven- 
tures that befell in King Arthur’s court after he was 
married to the lady Guinevere. 


78 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

And now, when all the quests were done, — the 
quest of the white hart that Sir Gawaine followed, 
the quest of the hound by Sir Tor, and the quest of 
the lady that the knight took aw^ay by King Pelle- 
nore, — then King Arthur established all his 
knights, and gave lands to those who were not rich, 
and charged them never to do outrage or murder, 
and always to flee treason ; also by no means to be 
cruel, but to give mercy unto him that asked 
mercy, upon pain of forfeiture of the friendship of 
King Arthur; and always to succor ladies and 
damsels and gentlewomen, upon pain of death ; also 
that no man take any battle in a wrong quarrel nor 
for worldly goods. 

Unto this were all the knights sworn of the 
Round Table, both old and young ; and every year 
they were sworn at the high feast of Pentecost. 


THE BOOK OF BALIN 


CHAPTER I 

HOW BALIN DREW THE DAMSEL’s SWORD 

A nd now tidings came to the king that King 
Rience of North Wales had invaded his land 
and was slaying his people. So he sent out 
a herald to call his knights to arms; and they all 
assembled at Camelot where they held high festival. 

One day as King Arthur was sitting in the great 
hall of the palace holding council with his barons, 
there came a damsel bearing a message from the 
great Lady Lyle of Avalon. She wore a mantle 
richly furred; and when she let it fall from her 
shoulders it was seen that she was girded with a 
noble sword. At this the king had great marvel, 
and said, '‘Damsel, for what cause are ye girded 
with that sword? Such gear beseemeth not a 
lady.” 

The damsel answered, “Now shall I tell you that 
this sword that I am girded with doth me great 

79 


8o 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


sorrow and is an encumbrance, for I may not be 
delivered of it but by a good knight ; and he must 
be a passing strong man with his hands and of his 
deeds, and without villainy or treachery. If I can 
find such a knight, then he may draw out the sword 
from the scabbard, and so shall I be rid of the en- 
chantment that belongs to it. But never yet have 
I found any knight that could draw the sword. I 
have been at the court of King Rience, for I was 
told that there were many passing good knights; 
but he and all his knights have tried it without 
avail.” 

When King Arthur heard this he said, ‘This is 
a great marvel, but if this be true I will myself essay 
to draw out the sword, not presuming that I am 
the best knight, but I will give an example to my 
barons, that they also may essay it.” So King 
Arthur took the sword by the sheath and by the 
girdle, and pulled eagerly at it ; but the sword would 
not come out. 

“Sir,” said the damsel, “ye need not pull half so 
hard, for he that shall pull it out shall do so with 
little might.” “Then,” answered Arthur, “this 
achievement is not for me. So now, my barons, let 
all of you essay it; but beware ye are not defiled 
with shame, treachery, or guile.” 

Then many of the barons and the knights of the 
Round Table essayed to draw the sword, one after 
another, but none of them could achieve it. Where- 


HOW BALIN DREW THE DAMSEL’s SWORD 8l 


fore the damsel made great sorrow out of measure, 
saying, “Alas ! I thought in this court I could find 
the best knights without treachery or treason.” 
“By my faith,” said Arthur, “here are good knights 
as, I deem, are any in the world ; but their grace is 
not to help you, for which I am very sorry.” 

Now there chanced to be in the hall at that time 
a poor knight, named Balin le Savage, who had 
been a prisoner half a year and more for slaying a 
knight that was cousin to King Arthur. Though 
he had no estate, yet was he of good blood and 
great prowess. He had slain the knight in fair 
fight, so by the good offices of the barons he had 
been pardoned and delivered out of prison. So he 
went privily into court and saw the other knights 
essay to draw the sword, and would have tried it 
himself, but because he was poor and poorly ar- 
rayed, he did not come forward, though in his heart 
he was fully assured that he could do as well as any 
knight that was there. 

Now as the damsel was about to take her leave 
of King Arthur and the barons, Balin took courage 
and said to her, “Damsel, I pray you of your cour- 
tesy to suffer me to essay the sword ; for though I 
be poorly clothed, in my heart I feel fully assured 
that I may do right well.” 

At this the damsel turned to look upon the 
knight and saw that he was a likely man in body, 
but because he was so poorly clad she thought he 
6 


82 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


could be of no worship. So she said to him, “Sir, 
there is no need to put me to any more pain or 
labor, for it seemeth not that you should succeed 
where others have failed.’’ 

“Ah, fair damsel,” said Balin, “worthiness and 
good deeds are not all alone in raiment, but in him 
who wears it; and manhood and worship are bred 
within a man’s person, and many a worshipful 
knight is not known to all people.” “Ye speak 
truly,” said the damsel, “therefore ye shall essay to 
do what ye may.” 

Then Balin took the sword by the girdle and the 
sheath, and drew it out easily ; and when he looked 
upon the sword he was much pleased with it. Then 
the king and his barons greatly wondered that 
Balin had done what they had failed to do ; and 
some of the knights had great spite at Balin. But 
the damsel said, “This is a passing good knight, and 
the best man that ever I found, and most noble 
without treachery or villainy ; and many marvels he 
shall do. Now, gentle and courteous knight,” she 
said, “give me the sword again.” “Nay,” said 
Balin, “for this sword I will keep, unless it be taken 
from me by force.” “Well,” said the damsel, “ye 
are not wise to keep the sword from me, for ye shall 
slay with the sword the best friend that ye have, and 
the man ye most love in the world; and the sword 
shall be your destruction.” 

“I shall take the chance,” said Balin, “that God 


HOW BALIN DREW THE DA'MSEL’s SWORD 83 

will ordain me, but the sword ye shall not have at 
this time, by the faith of my body.” “Ye shall re- 
pent it within a short time,” said the damsel, “for 
I would have the sword more for your sake than 
for my own ; and I am passing sorry for your sake ; 
for ye will not believe that this sword will be your 
destruction, and that is a great pity.” With that 
the damsel departed in great sorrow. 

Then Balin sent for his horse and his armor, 
being minded to depart from the court and he took 
his leave of King Arthur. But the king said, “Nay, 
I hope ye will not depart so lightly from this fel- 
lowship. I suppose you are displeased that I have 
showed you unkindness ; but blame me not since I 
did not know that you were a knight of such wor- 
ship and prowess — and now, if ye will, abide in this 
court among my fellowship — I shall so advance you 
as ye shall be pleased.” 

But Balin said, “God thank your lordship; for 
your bounty and highness may no man praise half 
to their value ; but at this time I must needs depart, 
beseeching you always of your good grace.” 
“Truly,” said the king, “I am right sorry for your 
departing; but I pray you, fair knight, that ye tarry 
not long, and ye shall be right welcome to me and 
my barons, and I shall amend all amiss that I have 
done against you.” 

Then Balin thanked the king again, and there- 
with made ready to depart. And as he rode away. 


84 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

many of the knights of the Round Table said that 
Balin did not this adventure in his own might, but 
by witchcraft. 

Now while Balin was making ready to depart, 
there came riding to the court a lady named the 
Lady of the Lake, the same who had given King 
Arthur the sword Excalibur. She came on horse- 
back, richly dressed, and saluted the king, and then 
told him that she had come to claim a boon which 
he had promised her when she gave him the sword. 
“Ask what you will,” said King Arthur, “and you 
shall have it if it lie in my power to give it to 
you.” 

“Well,” said the Lady of the Lake, “I ask the 
head of that knight who hath won the sword, or 
else the damsel’s head that brought it; and if I have 
both their heads I care not, for he slew my brother, 
a good and true knight; and that damsel was the 
cause of my father’s death.” Then was King 
Arthur deeply grieved, and he said, “Lady, I may 
not grant you either of their heads with honor, 
therefore ask what else you will and I will fulfil 
your desire.” But the lady said, “I will ask none 
other thing of you.” 

As Balin was taking his leave of the court he saw 
the Lady of the Lake, and she was his worst enemy, 
for by her means his own mother had been slain. 
And when it was told him that she demanded his 
head of King Arthur, he was exceeding wroth, and 


HOW BALIN DREW THE DAMSEL’s SWORD 85 

he went straight to her and said, “Evil be thou 
found ! ye would have my head : and therefore shall 
ye lose your own.” And with his sword he. quickly 
smote off her head. Then the king was full of anger 
and cried, “Alas, for shame ; why have ye done this 
deed? Ye have shamed me and all my court; for 
this was a lady that I was much beholden to, and 
she came hither under my safe conduct. I shall 
never forgive you for this trespass.” 

“Sir,” said Balin, “I grieve for your displeasure; 
but this same lady was the untruest lady living; for 
by enchantment and sorcery she hath destroyed 
many good knights, and she was the cause that my 
mother was burnt, through her falsehood and 
treachery.” 

“Whatever cause you had,” said Arthur, “you 
should have forborne her in my presence ; therefore 
think not but that you shall repent it, for such an 
other despite have I never in my court. Therefore, 
withdraw you from my court with all the haste ye 
may.” 

Then Balin took up the head of the lady and bore 
it with him to his hostel; and there he met his 
squire who was sorry that his master had displeased 
King Arthur. And so they rode out of the town. 
“Alas,” said the squire, “ye are greatly to blame to 
displease King Arthur.” “As for that,” replied 
Balin, “I will hie me with all the haste I may to 
meet King Rience, and to destroy him or else to 


86 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


die therefore ; and if it may happen me to win him, 
then will King Arthur be my good and gracious 
lord/’ 

Then King Arthur and all his court made great 
dole, being deeply grieved at the death of the 
Lady of the Lake ; and they buried her with great 
pomp. 


CHAPTER II 


HOW BALIN FOUGHT WITH SIR LANCEOR 

N OW there was at that time at King Arthur’s 
court, a knight named Lanceor, who was 
the son of a King of Ireland. This knight 
was very proud and counted himself one of the best 
knights of the court. He had a great spite against 
Balin for the achieving of the sword, being jealous 
that any one should be accounted of more prowess 
than himself. So he asked King Arthur if he 
would give him leave to ride after Balin, and to 
avenge the despite that he had done. 

To this King Arthur quickly assented, saying, 
^^Go, brave knight, and do your best, for I am right 
wroth with Balin; and I would that he were ac- 
quitted of the despite that he hath done to me and 
my court.” 

In the meantime came Merlin to Arthur’s court ; 
and there it was told him of the adventure of the 
sword and of the Lady of the Lake. Then Merlin 
said, “Let me tell you of this damsel that brought 
the sword unto your court ; she is the falsest damsel 
that liveth.” 


87 


88 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


''Say not so,” they said, "for she hath a brother 
who is a passing good knight and a true man of 
great prowess ; and this damsel loved another 
knight who held her in dishonor, and so her 
brother met him and slew him, and when the 
damsel knew that her lover was slain she went to 
the lady, Lily of Avalon, and besought her help to 
be avenged on her brother. And so this lady, Lily 
of Avalon, took her this sword, and told her that 
no man should draw it out of the scabbard unless 
he were one of the best knights of the realm; and 
that with this sword he should slay his brother.” 

Meanwhile Sir Lanceor armed himself and 
mounting his horse, took his spear in his hand and 
rode after Balin with all speed. As he came to the 
top of a hill he caught sight of Balin, and with a 
loud voice cried to him, saying, "Abide knight, for 
ye shall abide whether ye will or not and the shield 
you have before you shall not help you.” 

When Balin heard these words, he turned his 
horse fiercely and said, "Fair knight, what will you 
with me? will you joust with me?” "Yea,” said Sir 
Lanceor, "therefore am I come after you.” "Per- 
adventure,” said Balin, "it would have been better 
to have holden you at home, for many a man 
thinketh to put his enemy to a rebuke, and often he 
falleth to it himself. Or what court are ye from?” 

"I am come from the court of King Arthur,” said 
Sir Lanceor, "and am come hither to avenge the 


HOW BALIN FOUGHT WITH SIR LANCEOR 89 

despite that ye did this day to King Arthur and his 
court.” '‘Well,” said Balin, “I see well that I must 
have ado with you, though it grieveth me to do so 
since your quarrel is full simple ; for the lady that is 
dead was an enemy to all good knights, or else I 
would have been as loth as any knight that liveth 
to slay a lady.” “Make yourself ready,” said the 
knight Sir Lanceor, “and meet me, for one of us 
shall abide in the field.” 

Then they took their spears in all haste, and came 
together as fast as their horses might drive. The 
spear of Lanceor smote Balin upon the shield so 
that it went all to shivers; while Balin smote Lan- 
ceor with such a might that his spear went through 
Lanceor’s shield and pierced his body. Then Balin 
turned his horse quickly and drew his sword to 
smite the knight with it ; but he saw that he had 
fallen from his horse and lay dead upon the ground. 

Then he looked around him and saw a damsel 
that came riding on a palfrey as fast as her horse 
could gallop. When she espied that Sir Lanceor 
was slain, she wept sorely and said, “O Balin, two 
bodies hast thou slain, and one heart, for two hearts 
in one body, and two souls thou hast lost.” 

And therewith she took the sword from her lover 
who lay dead, and as she took it she fell to the 
ground in a swoon. And when she arose again she 
wept without measure, and her sorrow grieved 
Balin passing sore. And he went to her to take 


90 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


the sword out of her hands; but she held it so fast 
that he could not without hurting her. Then be- 
fore he was aware, she set the pommel of the sword 
upon the ground and, falling on it, ran herself 
through the body. 

When Balin saw that she was dead, he was 
deeply grieved that so fair a damsel should have 
destroyed herself for the love of the knight. 
“Alas,’’ he said, “I am sore at heart at the death of 
this knight for the love of this damsel for I see that 
there was much love between them.” Then Balin 
turned his horse and looked toward the forest. And 
as he looked he saw his brother Balan riding toward 
him. And when they met they put off their helms 
and kissed each other, and wept for joy and pity. 
And Balan said, “I little thought to have met with 
you at this sudden adventure. But I am right glad 
of your deliverance out of your imprisonment, for 
a man told me in the castle of Four Stones that you 
were delivered, and that a man had seen you in 
King Arthur’s court; and therefore I came hither 
into this country, for here I expected to find 
you.” 

Then Balin told his brother of his adventure with 
the sword, and of the death of the Lady of the Lake, 
and how King Arthur was displeased with him, and 
that he had sent this knight after him who lay dead 
before them. “And the death of the damsel,” he 
said, “grieveth me sore.” “And so it doth me,” 


HOW BALIN FOUGHT WITH SIR LANCEOR QI 

said Balaii, ‘'but ye must take the adventure as God 
doth ordain unto you.” 

“And I am heavy of heart,” said Balin, “that my 
lord Arthur is displeased with me, for he is the 
most worshipful knight that reigneth now on earth ; 
and his love I will get or else I will put my life in 
peril. The King Rience lieth at a siege at the 
castle of Terrabil, and thither will we go in haste, 
to prove our worship and prowess upon him.” 
And Balan said, “It will be well for us to do so and 
we will help each other as brethren ought to do.” 

As they thus talked there came a dwarf from the 
city of Camelot, on horseback as fast as he could 
ride, and finding the dead bodies of the knight and 
the damsel^ made a great dole, and tore his hair for 
sorrow. Seeing the two knights he said, “Which 
of you knights hath done this deed?” 

“Wherefore asketh thou it?” said Balin. “Be- 
cause I would know,” said the dwarf. Then said 
Balin, “It was I who slew this knight in my defence, 
for he came hither to fight with me, and either I 
must slay him or he me. But this damsel slew her- 
self out of love for the knight, for which I sorely 
grieve ; and for her sake I shall owe all women the 
better love and favor.” 

“Alas,” said the dwarf, “thou hast done great 
damage to thyself, for this knight was one of the 
most valiant men that lived; and trust thou well 
that the kin of this knight will chase thee through 


92 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


the world till they have slain thee.” ‘'As for that,” 
said Balin, “I fear it not greatly; but I am right 
heavy of heart because I have displeased my sov- 
ereign lord, King Arthur, for the death of this 
knight.” 

While they thus talked together. King Mark 
of Cornwall came riding toward them; and when 
he saw the dead bodies of the knight and damsel 
and understood how they had been slain by one of 
the two knights, he made great sorrow for the true 
love that was between them; and said, “I will not 
depart hence until I have made a tomb for them.” 

So he pitched his pavilion there and sought 
through all the country to find a tomb for them. 
At length after many days they found in a church 
a tomb that was rich and fair, and there King 
Mark put them both in the earth, and placed the 
tomb above them, and wrote the names of them 
both on the tomb, and placed upon the tomb this 
inscription, — “Here lieth Lanceor,a king’s son 
OF Ireland, that at his own request was slain 
BY THE HANDS OF BaLIN; AND HIS LADY COLOMBE, 
WHO SLEW HERSELF WITH HER LOVEr’s SWORD FOR 
DOLE AND SORROW.” 

Meanwhile Merlin came to Balin and seeing what 
was done said, “Thou hast done thyself great hurt 
because thou didst not save this lady that slew her- 
self, for you might have saved her if you would.” 
“By the faith of my body,” answered Balin, “I 


HOW BALIN FOUGHT WITH SIR LANCEOR 93 

could not, for she slew herself suddenly." And 
Merlin said, “Because of the death of that lady, 
thou shalt strike a stroke the most dolorous that 
ever man struck, except the stroke of our Lord ; for 
thou shalt hurt the truest knight and the man of 
the most worship that now liveth ; and through that 
stroke three kingdoms shall be in great poverty, 
misery, and wretchedness for twelve years ; and the 
knight shall not be whole of that wound for many 
years.” 

Then Merlin took his leave of Balin; and Balin 
said, “If I knew that what thou sayest is true I 
would do such a perilous deed as that I would slay 
myself to make thee a liar.” As he thus spoke 
Merlin suddenly vanished from their sight. And 
then Balin and his brother took their leave of King 
Mark. But as they were about to go the king 
said, “Tell me your name.” “Sir,” said Balan, 
you see that this knight beareth two swords, there- 
fore ye may call him the knight of the two swords.” 

And so King Mark departed and rode to Came- 
lot to King Arthur; and Balin and his brother 
Balan rode away to King Rience. Now as they 
rode they met with Merlin disguised so that they 
did not know him. And Merlin said to them, 
“Whither ride ye?” “We have little to do for to 
tell ye,” said the two knights. And Balin said, 
“But what is thy name?" To which Merlin re- 
plied, “I will not tell thee at this time.” 


94 the story of king Arthur 

'‘It is well seen,” said the two knights, “that thou 
art not a true man, since thou wilt not tell thy 
name.” “Be that as it may,” said Merlin, “but I 
can tell you wherefore ye ride this way ; for to meet 
King Rience; but it will not avail you unless you 
have my counsel.” 

“Ah,” said Balin, “you are Merlin, we will be 
ruled by your counsel.” “Come on, then,” said 
Merlin; “you shall have great worship; but look 
that you act knightly, for you shall have great 
need.” “As for that,” said Balin, “fear you not, 
for we will do what we may.” 

Then Merlin lodged them in a wood among 
leaves beside the highway, and took off the bridles 
of their horses, and put them to grass and had the 
knights lie down to rest until midnight. Then 
Merlin bade them rise and make ready, for the king 
was nigh them, having stolen away from his host 
with three score of his best knights, to visit a lady 
called the Lady de Vance. “Which is the king?” 
said Balin. “Abide,” said Merlin; “ for here is a 
straight way where you shall meet him.” And 
therewith he showed Balin and his brother where 
the king rode. 

Then Balin and his brother met King Rience, 
and smote him, wounding him sorely so that he fell 
to the ground. And then attacking his knights, 
they slew them on the right hand and on the left 
hand, slaying more than forty of his men, and the 


HOW BALIN FOUGHT WITH SIR LANCEOR 95 

rest fled. Then they went to King Rience and 
would have slain him if he had not yielded himself 
unto their grace. 

Craving mercy from them, the king said, 
'‘Knights, full of prowess, slay me not, for by my 
life ye may win something, but by my death ye 
shall win nothing.’’ To this the knights replied, 
"What you say is truth;” and so they raised him 
from the ground and placed him in a horse litter. 

AVith that Merlin vanished again and came and 
told King Arthur how that his worst enemy had 
been taken and discomfited. "By whom?” said 
Arthur. "By two knights,” said Merlin, "that 
would please your lordship; and to-morrow you 
shall know who they are.” Soon after came the 
two knights, Balin and Balan his brother, and 
brought with them King Rience, and delivered him 
to the porters, and charged them with him; and 
then returned again at the break of day. 

At the dawn King Arthur came to see King 
Rience and asked him saying, "Sir King, you are 
welcome here; but by what adventure came you 
hither?” "Sir,” said King Rience, "I came hither 
by an hard adventure.” "But who hath won you?” 
said King Arthur. "Sir,” said King Rience, "I 
was brought hither by the knight with the two 
swords and his brother, who are two marvelous 
knights of great prowess.” "I know them not,” 
said Arthur, "but I am much beholden to them.” 


96 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Then said Merlin, ‘T will tell you who they are; 
one of them is Balin, the knight who achieved the 
sword, and the other is his brother Balan than 
whom there liveth not a better in prowess and 
worthiness ; and it shall be the greatest dole of him 
that ever was of knight, for Balin shall not long 
endure/’ 

“Alas,” said King Arthur, “that is a great pity ; 
for I am much beholden unto him, and I have ill 
deserved this kindness unto me.” “Nay,” said 
Merlin, “he shall do much for you, and that shall 
you know ere it be long.” 


CHAPTER III 


HOW BALIN SLEW THE INVISIBLE KNIGHT, GARLON 

N ot long after these events already told, King 
Arthur was taken somewhat sick, and he 
pitched his pavilion in a meadow and there 
lay down on a pallet to sleep. Soon he heard a 
noise as of a horse approaching, and looking up 
he saw a knight coming toward him making great 
dole. Then Arthur said, “Abide, fair sir, and tell 
me wherefore thou makest this sorrow.” The 
knight replied, “You cannot comfort me,” and so 
passed on to the castle of Meliot. 

And anon soon after came Balin, and when he 
saw King Arthur he alighted from his horse and 
came to the king on foot and saluted him. “Ye 
are right welcome,” said the king, “for just now 
came riding this way a knight making a great noise, 
for what cause I cannot tell; wherefore I request 
that ye ride after him and bring him back to me, 
either by good will or by force.” 

“I will gladly do this for your lordship,” said 
Balin. And so he rode after the knight and found 

97 


7 


98 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

him in the forest with a damsel. And he said to 
the knight, “Sir knight, you must come with me 
unto King Arthur, for to tell him of your sorrow.’’ 

“That I will not do,” said the knight, “for it will 
scathe me greatly, and do you no avail.” But 
Balin answered him, “I pray you make ready, for 
ye must go with me, or else I must fight with you 
and bring you by force, and that I am loth to do.” 
“Will ye be my warrant if I go with you,” said the 
knight, “that no evil befall me?” “Yes,” replied 
Balin, “or else I will die.” 

Then the knight made ready to go with Balin, 
leaving the damsel behind him in the forest. As 
they reached King Arthur’s pavilion, there came 
some one invisible and smote the stranger knight 
through his body with a spear. “Alas,” said the 
knight, “I am slain under your conduct and guard 
by a traitorous knight named Garlon. Take my 
horse, therefore, that is better than your own, and 
ride to the damsel, and follow the quest that I was 
in whatever she will lead you, and avenge my death 
when you may.” “That will I do,” said Balin, “on 
the honor of my knighthood.” And he departed 
from the knight in great sorrow. And King 
Arthur buried the knight in a rich and costly tomb, 
and made mention upon it how there was slain 
Herleus le Berbeus by the treachery of the knight 
Garlon that goes about invisible. 

Then Balin and the damsel rode into the forest, 


HOW BALIN SLEW THE INVISIBLE KNIGHT 99 

and as they journeyed they met a worthy knight, 
named Sir Perin, who had been hunting. The 
knight asked Balin why he seemed so sorrowful; 
and when he heard the story he offered to ride with 
him, and so they journeyed on together. As they 
were riding past a hermitage, the false knight 
Garlon again came invisible and struck down Sir 
Perin even as he had slain Sir Herleus. “Alas,” 
said the knight, ‘T am slain by this traitor knight 
that rideth invisible.” 

Then Balin and the hermit buried Sir Perin in 
a costly tomb ; and after that Balin and the damsel 
continued their journey. At nightfall they came 
to a castle, and as the gates were open they went 
in with the intent to spend the night there. Balin 
went in first, and as soon as he had riden within the 
gate, the portcullis was suddenly dropped behind 
him. At the same time many men rushed out of 
an ambush and seized the damsel. 

Now when Balin saw that he could not ride back 
to help the damsel, he dismounted from his horse 
and got upon the wall and leaped down into the 
ditch. Then he drew his sword and rushed upon 
the men that were about the damsel. But they 
were only squires and churls, and they would not 
fight, but said they were only observing the custom 
of the castle in seizing upon the damsel. 

They then told him how their lady was sick with 
a disease and had been many years, and that she 




100 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


might not be cured unless she had a silver dish full 
of blood taken from a clean maid and a king’s 
daughter; and therefore the custom of the castle 
was that no maid was allowed to pass the castle 
without being bled. 

'‘Well/’ said Balin, “she may give you as much 
of her blood as she will, but she shall not give 
more than that while I have life to defend her.” 
And so the damsel by her own free will gave them a 
silver dish full of her blood; but it helped not the 
lady. And so they rested there all that night ; and 
on the morrow they passed on their way. 

Thus they rode three or four days and never met 
with an adventure. And by chance they were 
lodged with a man who was passing rich and 
well at ease. And as they were eating their supper 
Balin heard some one crying as if in pain. Then 
Balin said, “What noise is this I hear?” 

“I will tell you,” said his host. “I was but late 
at a jousting, and there I jousted twice with a 
knight who is brother to King Pellam, and twice I 
smote him down. Then he promised to requite me 
on my best friend, and so he wounded my son that 
cannot be healed till I have some of that knight’s 
blood. And he always rideth invisible, and I know 
not his name.” 

“Ah,” said Balin, “I know that knight, and his 
name is Garlon : he hath slain two knights of mine 
in the same manner; therefore I would rather meet 


HOW BALIN SLEW THE INVISIBLE KNIGHT lOI 


that knight than to have all the gold in the realm, 
for the despite he has done me/’ “Well,” said his 
host, “I shall tell you: King Pellam of Listenise 
hath made a cry in all this country of a great feast 
that shall be held within twenty days, and no knight 
may come there unless he bring with him his wife 
or his sweetheart ; and that knight, your enemy and 
mine you shall see this day.” 

“Then I promise you,” said Balin, “a portion of 
his blood to heal your son withal.” “We will go 
forward to-morrow,” said his host. So on the mor- 
row they rode all three toward Pellam; and had 
fifteen days’ journey before they came hither. And 
that same day began the feast; and they alighted 
and stabled their horses and went into the castle. 
But Balin’s host might not be let in because he had 
no lady with him. 

Then Balin was well received and brought to a 
chamber and disarmed by the attendants; and they 
brought him rich robes to his pleasure. And they 
would have had him leave his sword; but Balin 
would not consent to that, for he said it was the 
custom in his country for a knight always to keep 
his sword at his side. So they gave him leave to 
wear his sword ; and he went into the castle and was 
set among the knights of worship ; and his lady was 
set before him. Soon Balin asked a knight if there 
was not a knight in this court whose name was 
Garlon. “Yonder he goeth,” said the knight; “he 


102 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


with the black face ; and he is the most marvelous 
knight now living, for he goeth invisible and thus 
destroyeth many good knights.” 

Balin gazed at him for awhile thinking to himself 
what he should do. “If I slay him here I shall not 
escape, and if I leave him now peradventure I shall 
never meet him again at such a good time, and 
much harm he will do if he lives.” As he thus 
mused, Garlon espied that Balin was gazing at him, 
and he came up and smote Balin in the face with 
the back of his hand, saying, “Knight, why be- 
holdest thou me so? For shame ! therefore eat thy 
meat, and do that for which thou earnest hither.” 

“Thou sayest truth,” said Balin, “for this is not 
the first despite that thou hast done me ; and there- 
fore I will do what I came for;” saying which he 
rose up quickly and smote him with his sword, 
cleaving his head to his shoulders. Then turning 
to his lady he said, “Give me the truncheon where- 
with he slew your knight.” And she gave the 
truncheon to him, and Balin smote him through 
the body with it, saying openly, “With that trun- 
cheon thou hast slain a good knight, and now it 
sticketh in thy body.” And Balin called to him 
his host and said to him, “Now may ye filch blood 
enough for to heal your son withal.” 

Then all the knights rose up quickly from the 
table to set on Balin. And King Pellam, spring- 
ing to his feet cried out fiercely, “Knight, why hast 


HOW BALIN SLEW THE INVISIBLE KNIGHT IO3 

thou slain my brother? Thou shalt die for this 
deed of treachery.” ‘‘Well,” said Balin, “then do 
it yourself.” “Yes,” said King Pellam, “there shall 
no man have to do with thee but myself, for the 
love I bear to my brother.” 

So saying King Pellam caught in his hand a grim 
weapon and smote eagerly at Balin; but Balin put 
his sword between his head and the stroke, but the 
mace shivered the sword into pieces in his hand. 
And when Balin saw he was weaponless, he ran 
into the chamber to seek a weapon, and so from 
chamber to chamber, and no weapon could he 
find; and always King Pellam following him. At 
last he entered a chamber that was marvelously 
well furnished, and a bed arranged with cloth of 
gold the richest that might be thought. By the 
bed was a table of pure gold standing on four silver 
pillars, and upon the table stood a marvelous spear, 
strangely wrought, as though it had been made for 
a mighty king. 

When Balin saw the spear he seized it in his 
hand, and turned himself to face King Pellam who 
was following hard after him, and smote him with 
the spear, so that he fell down in a swoon as if he 
had been dead. And therewith the castle rocked 
and trembled as if a mighty earthquake had passed, 
and the walls were riven and fell in ruins. And 
Balin also fell amid the ruins, so that he could not 
stir hand or foot for three days. 


104 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


And when three days had passed Merlin came 
hither and took up Balin out of the ruins and re- 
stored him and got him a good horse, for his own 
horse was dead; and then bade him to ride out of 
that country. “I would have my damsel,” said 
Balin. But Merlin answered, “Lo, where she lieth 
dead.” 

As for King Pellam he lay many years, sore 
wounded, and was not healed until Sir Galahad 
healed him in the quest of the Sangreal ; for in that 
place, it was said, was part of the blood of the 
Saviour, that Joseph of Arimathea brought into 
this land, and there himself lay in that rich bed in 
which Balin found the spear, and the spear with 
which Balin had wounded King Pellam was the 
same with which our Lord was wounded on the 
cross; and now Balin had struck the “dolorous 
stroke” of which Merlin had forewarned him. 

Then was Balin’s heart full of sorrow for the 
harm he had wrought, and he said to Merlin, “In 
this world we shall never meet again, for it seemeth 
to me that a sad fate is mine.” Then he mounted 
his horse and rode through the fair countries and 
cities, and found the people dead on every side. 
And all that were alive cried, “O Balin, thou hast 
caused great damage in these countries; for the 
dolorous stroke thou gave King Pellam, three 
countries are destroyed; and doubt not but ven- 
geance will fall on thee at last.” 


CHAPTER IV 


HOW BALIN FOUGHT WITH HIS BROTHER BALAN 

A nd now as Balin rode within three days he 
came by a cross upon which was written in 
letters of gold, “It is not for a knight alone 
to ride toward this castle.” Then looking up he 
saw an aged man with hoary locks coming toward 
him, who said, “Balin le Savage, thou passeth thy 
bounds this way; therefore turn again, and it will 
avail thee,” — and the aged man vanished away 
anon, and he heard a horn blow, as it had been for 
the death of a beast. 

“That blast,” said Balin, “is blown for me; for 
I am the prize, and yet I am not dead.” And there- 
with he saw a hundred ladies and many knights 
that welcomed him with fair semblance, and made 
him passing good cheer, and led him into the castle ; 
and there was dancing and minstrelsy, and all man- 
ner of joy. 

Then the chief lady of the castle said, “Knight 
with two swords, ye must have ado with a knight 
hereby that keepeth an island; for there may no 

105 


io6 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


man pass this way, but he must joust before he 
pass.” 'That is an unhappy custom,” said Balin, 
"that a knight may not pass this way unless he 
joust.” "Ye shall have ado but with one knight,” 
said the lady. 

Then Balin said, "Well, since I must, I am ready. 
But traveling men are often weary, and their horses 
also ; but though my horse is weary my heart is not 
weary; but I should be little grieved if I were going 
to my death.” At this a knight said to Balin, "Sir, 
methinketh that your shield is not good ; I will lend 
you a better one if you will.” And he gave Balin 
a shield with a strange device, and Balin left his 
own shield which bare his arms. And so he rode 
unto the island, and went with his horse into a great 
boat, and when he came to the other side he met a 
damsel and she said, "O knight Balin, why have 
you left your own shield ; alas, ye have put yourself 
in great danger : for by your shield ye should have 
been known. It is a great pity of you as ever was 
of a knight, for of prowess and hardiness you have 
no fellow living.” 

To this Balin replied, "It repenteth me that ever 
I came within this country; but I may not turn 
now again for shame, and what adventure shall be- 
fall me, be it life or death, I will take the adventure 
that shall come.” 

So saying he looked at his armor and understood 
that he was well armed, and therewith blessed him- 






HOW BALIN FOUGHT WITH HIS BROTHER I07 

self and mounted upon his horse. Then before him 
he saw a knight riding out of the castle and coming 
toward him. His horse was decked with red trap- 
pings and he himself wore the same color. And 
when this knight in red beheld Balin, he thought 
that it must be his brother Balin because of his two 
swords; but as he knew not his shield he thought 
that it could not be so. And the other knight was 
Balan, Balin’s brother, and he knew it not. 

So they couched their spears and came rushing 
together with all their might, and smote each other 
on their shields; but their spears and their course 
were so great that the shock bore down both horse 
and man, so that they both lay in a swoon. Now 
Balan was the first that rose on his feet and drew his 
sword and went toward Balin; and he also arose 
and went toward Balan. Then Balan struck Balin 
a fearful blow, and though he put up his shield the 
blow went through the shield and broke his helm. 
Then Balin smote his brother with that unhappy 
sword, and well nigh felled him to the earth ; and 
so they fought there together until their breaths 
failed. 

Then Balin looked up to the castle and saw the 
tower full of ladies who were watching the fight. 
So they went to battle again and wounded each 
other grievously ; and then they breathed awhile to 
rest themselves; and then fought again until the 
place where they fought was red with blood. And 


I08 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

by this time they had wounded each other with 
seven great wounds so that the least of them might 
have been the death of the mightiest giant in the 
world. Then they went to battle again so marvel- 
ously that it was doubtful that one should tell of 
such a battle for the great blood-shedding that was 
done. 

At last Balan, the younger brother, withdrew a 
little and lay down. Then said Balin le Savage, 
“What knight art thou? for until now I never 
found a knight that matched me.” “My name,” 
replied the other, “is Balan, brother to the good 
knight Balin.” “Alas!” said Balin, “that ever I 
should see this day.” And therewith he fell back- 
ward in a swoon. 

Then Balan crept upon his hands and knees, and 
put off the helm of his brother, and did not know 
him by his visage, it was so hewn and bloody. But 
when Balin awoke he said, “O Balan, my brother, 
thou hast slain me, and I thee, wherefore all the 
wide world shall speak of us both.” 

“Alas!” said Balan, “that ever I saw this day, 
that through mishap I might not know you : for I 
espied well your two swords, but because you had 
another shield, I deemed you had been another 
knight.” 

“Alas !” said Balin, “all that was done by an un- 
happy knight in the castle, for he caused me to 
leave my own shield to the destruction of us both; 


HOW BALIN FOUGHT WITH HIS BROTHER lOQ 

and if I might live I would destroy that castle for 
ill customs.” 

Then came the lady of the tower with four 
knights and six ladies and six yeomen, unto them ; 
and there she heard how they made their lament to 
each other, saying, “We came both of one mother 
and so shall we lie both in one pit.” So Balin 
prayed the lady of her gentleness, for his true ser- 
vice, that she would bury them both in that same 
place where the battle was fought. And she 
granted them their request, and weeping said, “It 
shall be done richly, and in the best manner.” 

“Now,” said Balin, “when we are buried in one 
tomb, and the inscription made over us saying that 
two brothers slew each other, there will never good 
knight nor good man see a tomb, but they will 
pray for our souls.” At this all the ladies and 
gentlemen wept for pity. 

And anon Balan died, but Balin did not die until 
midnight. So they both were buried ; and the lady 
had an inscription made of Balan, how he was there 
slain by his own brother ; but she knew not Balin’s 
name. On the morrow Merlin came and wrote 
Balin’s name upon the tomb with letters of gold, 
saying, “Here lies Balin le Savage, that was the 
knight with the two swords, and he that smote the 
dolorous stroke.” 

And Merlin took the sword of Balin and took 
off the handle and set on it another handle. Then 


no 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Merlin asked a knight that stood near him to 
handle the sword, but he could not, at which Merlin 
laughed. “Why do ye laugh?” said the knight. 
“Because,” replied Merlin, “there shall never a man 
handle that sword but the best knight in the world, 
and that shall be Sir Launcelot or else Sir Gala- 
had, his son; and Launcelot with this sword shall 
slay the man in all the world which he loves best, 
and that shall be Gawaine.” All this Merlin wrote 
upon the handle of the sword. 

Then Merlin built to the island a bridge of steel 
and iron that was but half a foot wide, and ordained 
that no man should cross that bridge unless he were 
of virtuous life and free from treachery and from 
evil thoughts and deeds. Then Merlin took the 
sword of Balin and by magic skill fixed it in a block 
of marble, and set it afloat upon the stream in such 
a way that the sword stood always upright above 
the water. And for years this stone floated down 
the stream, for no man could take it from the water 
or draw the sword, until in time it came to Camelot 
where as we shall relate hereafter the sword was 
drawn by the best knight and the purest that ever 
lived. 

Soon after this. Merlin came to King Arthur and 
told him of the dolorous stroke that Balin gave to 
King Pellam, and how Balin and Balan his brother 
had fought together the most marvelous battle 
that ever was heard of, and how they were both 


HOW BALIN FOUGHT WITH HIS BROTHER III 


buried in one tomb. ‘‘Alas/’ said King Arthur, 
^hhis is the greatest pity that ever I heard tell of 
two knights, for in the world I know not two 
knights such as these.’’ 

Thus endeth the tale of Balin and Balan, two 
brothers, born in Northumberland, and two as good 
knights as ever lived. 


CHAPTER V 


THE FATE OF MERLIN 

M erlin was the great enchanter who lived 
during the days of King Arthur. He was 
full of crafty wiles, but he always used them 
in favor of the king. He could change himself into 
many forms, at one time appearing as a dwarf, at 
other times as a damsel, a page, or even a grey- 
hound or a stag. This power he often used to aid 
King Arthur in his designs, and at times he would 
use it for the diversion of the people of the court. 

After the quests of Sir Gawaine, Sir Tor, and 
King Pellenore, and the death of Balin, Merlin be- 
gan to be less active at court and spent his time in 
leisure and pleasure. At last he disappeared en- 
tirely, having yielded to the charms and wiles of a 
damsel that King Pellenore had brought to Came- 
lot. The name of the damsel was Viviane, and she 
was one of the damsels of the Lake, and was also 
called the Lady of the Lake. She was fair of face, 
of shapely form, and graceful in all her motions; 
but she was full of wiles to win men and hold them 
II2 


THE FATE OF MERLIN II3 

subject to her wiil. She was very fond of King 
Arthur, and had even tried to win his love away 
from Queen Guinevere; and now she began to try 
to win the favor of Merlin, the chief of enchanters. 

So subtle was the spell of her charms that he 
gave her his trust and regard, so that he was only 
happy in her company, and followed her wherever 
she would go. On her part she sought to discover 
the secret of his power, and long she pleaded with 
him to disclose it to her. For a long time Merlin 
would not yield to her request, though she be- 
sought him with tender voice and soft caress and 
eyes all soft with tears. At times he seemed to 
doubt her truth and faith, and would have put her 
secretly away by subtle crafts; but with a subtler 
craft than his she made him swear that he would 
never try his enchantments upon her if she would 
give him her love. 

And now it came to pass that she and Merlin 
went over the sea into the land of Benwick, and 
there they saw King Ban and his wife, the fair 
Elaine, and their young son Launcelot. At this 
time King Claudas had made war upon King Ban, 
and the queen made great sorrow for the deadly 
conflict fearing that the king might lose his lands 
and his crown. But Merlin said to her, ‘'Be not 
heavy in your grief, for this same child, within this 
twenty years, shall revenge you on King Claudas, 
and do deeds of valor at which all Christendom 


8 


1 14 the story of king ARTHUR 

shall speak in praise. And this same child shall be 
the man of most worship in the world, and while 
his first name is Galahad, ye have since had him 
confirmed as Launcelot.” 

‘That is truth,” said the queen; “his first name 
was Galahad and now he is called Launcelot. But 
shall I live to see my son such a man of prowess?” 
“Yea, lady, on my peril ye shall see it, and live many 
winters thereafter.” Thus Merlin foretold the 
noble deeds of Sir Launcelot du Lake, who became 
the most worshipful knight of all the world; and 
his mother, the fair Elaine, hid all these things in 
her heart and was comforted. 

Soon after this. Merlin and his lady Viviane de- 
parted and came into the land of Cornwall. And 
by the way he showed her many wonders and how 
he wrought his deeds of magic. And ever his heart 
clave to her more and more, and she seemed to 
love him also in return ; but her heart was often 
filled with doubts concerning him, and often she 
feared him because he was the son of a wicked 
spirit and practiced magic arts. Long she sought 
to know the secret of his powers of ’enchantment 
that she might rule him according to her will. At 
last she won his trust in full, and amidst a storm, 
as she was clinging to his neck in alarm, he told her 
all the secrets of his art, and how with subtle words* 
and waving hands she could herself wield the spell 
of an enchantress. 













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THE FATE OF MERLIN II5 

And now having the secret she thought how she 
might place him under a spell and thus have him 
under her complete control to do with him as she 
wished. So one day she spoke to him in fair but 
crafty words, saying, “Sir, I would that we should 
make a fair dwelling place and one suited to our 
minds, so contrived by art and cunning work, that 
it might never be undone, and that you and 
I should live there in joy and solace always.” 

“My lady,” answered Merlin, “I will do this as 
you may desire.” Then she said, “Sir, I would not 
have you do it, but you shall teach me, and I will 
do it, and then it will be more to my mind.” “I 
grant you this also, fair Viviane,” said Merlin. 

Then he began to devise the plan, and the 
damsel put it all in writing. And when he had de- 
vised the whole, then the damsel was full of great 
joy, and showed him greater semblance of love 
than she had ever made before; and they sojourned 
happily together a long while. At length it fell 
out as they were going one day, hand in hand 
through the forest of Breceliande, they came to a 
bush of white-thorn, which was laden with flowers. 
Being weary they seated themselves under the 
shade of this white-thorn, upon the grass, and Mer- 
lin laid his head upon the damsel’s lap and fell 
asleep. 

Then the damsel rose deftly without waking 
him, and began the enchantment which he himself 


Il6 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

had taught her. She made a ring with her wimple 
around the bush, and around Merlin. Nine times 
she made the ring and nine times she made the en- 
chantment; and then she went and sat down by 
him, and placed his head again upon her lap. And 
when he awoke and looked around him, it seemed 
to him that he was enclosed in the strangest tower 
in the world, and laid upon a fair bed. 

Then he said to the damsel, “My lady, you have 
deceived me, unless you abide with me, for no one 
hath power to unmake this tower but you alone.” 
Then she promised that she would be often there, 
and in this she kept her covenant with him, for 
though she feared him, she loved him for his subtle 
craft and power. But Merlin never went out of 
that tower in which his lady Viviane had enclosed 
him ; but she entered and went out again when she 
listed. 

From this time forth Merlin was never known to 
hold converse with any mortal but Viviane, except 
on one occasion. King Arthur, having for some 
time missed him from his court, sent several of his 
knights in search of him, and among the number, 
Sir Gawaine, who met with a very strange and dole- 
ful adventure while engaged in this quest. Hap- 
pening to pass a damsel on the road and neglecting 
to salute her, she revenged herself for his rudeness 
by transforming him into a hideous dwarf. He 
was bewailing his fortune as he went through the 


THE FATE OF MERLIN 


II7 

forest of Breceliancle, when suddenly he heard the 
voice of some one groaning on his right hand ; and 
looking that way he could see nothing but a kind 
of smoke, which seemed like air, and through which 
he could not pass. 

As he looked he heard a voice, it was the voice 
of Merlin, coming out of the smoke and telling him 
by what misadventure he was imprisoned there. 
“Ah, sir !” he added, “you will never see me more, 
and that grieves me, but I cannot remedy it; I 
shall never more speak to you, nor to any other 
person, save only the damsel Viviane. But do 
thou hasten to King Arthur, and charge him from 
me to undertake, without delay, the quests of the 
Sacred Grail. The knight is already born, and has 
received knighthood at his hands, who is destined 
to accomplish this quest.^' 

And then he addressed words of comfort to Ga- 
waine, assuring him that he should speedily be dis- 
enchanted; and predicting to him that he should 
find the king in Carduel, in Wales, on his return, 
and that all the other knights who had been on 
like quests would arrive there the same day as 
himself. And all this came to pass as Merlin had 
said. 

But as for Merlin no one knows certainly what 
became of him. Some think that he still remains 
a prisoner in the forest. To him the long 
years and ages have been but as days. He lies 


Il8 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

in a magic sleep; but the day will come when 
the strong enchantment that bound him will be 
broken, and he will come forth to behold the 
changes that have been wrought by more potent 
arts than his, and all the wonders of this later 
time. 


THE BOOK OF MORGAN LE FAY 


CHAPTER I 

THE ENCHANTMENT OF MORGAN LE FAY 

O NE day not long after Balin's death, King 
Arthur, with many of his knights, rode out 
from Camelot to hunt in the forest. And 
with him was King Urience,the husband of Morgan 
le Fay, and Sir Accalon who also loved the queen. 
Now these three, being the best mounted, rode 
away from the others in chase of a great hart and 
so hard they rode that their horses fell dead under 
them. Then they did not know what to do, for 
they were a great way from Camelot and in the 
midst of a thick wood. 

“What shall we do?” said King Arthur. “We 
are far from any house or castle, and the night 
comes fast upon us.” “Let us go forward on foot,” 
said King Urience. “We shall surely meet with 
some place of shelter.” 

So they went forward on the track of the hart, 
119 


120 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


and soon came up to where it lay on the banks of 
a great water, while a hound had it by the throat 
and others were coming up in full bay. Then 
Arthur blew the death note and killed the hart. 
When this was done he looked up, and saw upon 
the water a little ship, all gilt, with sails of silk, 
coming straight towards them. Nearer it came 
until it touched the shore and ran up on the sand. 
Then King Arthur went to the bank and looked in 
the ship, but there was no living thing to be seen 
on board. 

^‘Sirs,” said the king, “this is a marvelous thing. 
But let us go into the ship and see what is therein.” 
So they all three went on board and found it richly 
furnished with a fair cabin all hung with rich cloth 
of silk. And while they were gazing upon it, the 
ship suddenly left the land again, and went into the 
middle of the water. By this time it was dusk; but 
all at once there were a hundred torches about the 
sides of the ship that gave forth a great light. 

Then suddenly twelve beautiful damsels appeared 
and saluted King Arthur on their knees, and call- 
ing him by name, bade him welcome, saying that 
he should have the best cheer they could give. 
They led the king and his two companions into the 
cabin where was a table richly appointed with all 
kinds of meats and viands. After supping at their 
leisure, for they were very hungry from the chase, 
they were conducted each to a sleeping chamber 


THE ENCHANTMENT OF MORGAN LE FAY I2I 


that was richly arrayed. Here they were laid upon 
soft pallets, and being weary they were soon buried 
in slumber and slept marvelously well all night. 

As they fell asleep they little dreamed that they 
had been lured into an enchanted ship, and that 
strange adventures awaited them all, and that 
deadly danger threatened the king. For a plot had 
been laid by Morgan le Fay who was a great en- 
chantress, having learned the art from Merlin and 
was scarcely less skilled in magic arts than the 
great enchanter himself. She was sister to King 
Arthur on the mother’s side; but she hated her 
brother and was ever watching a chance to injure 
or destroy him. While Merlin was living she 
could do the king no harm; but Merlin was now 
dead and could not protect him. Merlin had 
warned King Arthur that he should be careful to 
keep his sword and scabbard; and trusting his 
sister, he had placed them in her hands for safe 
keeping. How false she was to her trust and 
how she carried out her enchantment we shall now 
learn. 

On the morrow when King Urience awoke, to his 
great surprise he found himself in Camelot in the 
chamber of his wife Morgan le Fay. How this 
could be, he understood not, for when he had fallen 
asleep he was full two days’ journey from Camelot. 
As for Accalon, we shall tell later what became of 
him. As for Arthur, when he awoke he found him- 


122 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


self in a dark prison, and heard all about him the 
groans and complaints of woeful knights. 

Then said King Arthur, “Who are ye that thus 
complain?” And one of them answered, “We are 
twenty good knights that are here prisoners. Some 
of us have lain here seven years, and even more, and 
some for less time.” Then Arthur asked them for 
what cause they were thus imprisoned, and the 
knights told him that the lord of the castle was a 
rich baron named Sir Damas, who was one of the 
falsest knights alive, full of treason, and an arrant 
coward. He had a younger brother. Sir Ontz- 
lake, a good and honorable knight, and a man of 
great prowess. But Sir Damas, by means of his 
riches and his men at arms, had deprived Sir Ontz- 
lake of much of his heritage, so that there was 
always a warfare between them. Sir Damas would 
never meet his brother in the field; though Ontz- 
lake had offered to fight him or any knight he could 
find in his stead, to settle their dispute in that 
fashion. But Damas would not fight himself, and 
he was everywhere so hated that he could get 
no knight to undertake his quarrel. So he lay 
ever in wait with his servants, and laid hold 
by treachery of every knight that came into his 
hand to seek adventure, keeping them in prison 
until one of them should agree to fight Sir Ontz- 
lake. And many good knights had died for hunger 
rather than fight for him, because he was so false 


THE ENCHANTMENT OF MORGAN LE FAY I2J 

and full of treason, and many of them were so lean 
of hunger that they could hardly stand upon their 
feet. 

'This is a woeful story,” said King Arthur. "I 
despise treason as much as any of you, and yet it 
seems to me it would be better to undertake the 
battle even if it were in an unjust cause, rather than 
to lie hungering in prison.” 

As he sat there revolving the matter in his mind, 
there came a damsel to him and asked, “What 
cheer?” “I cannot tell,” said King Arthur. 
“Well,” she said, “if you will fight for my lord, you 
shall be delivered out of prison ; but if you will not 
you shall not escape hence all your life long.” 

“This is a hard case,” answered King Arthur. 
“But I would rather undertake the adventure than 
die in prison ; so I will fight for thy lord, on condi- 
tion that he will release all these knights as well 
as myself.” 

This the damsel promised, and she said also that 
he should have a horse and armor. When the 
king looked at her it seemed to him that he had 
seen her before, and he asked her if she had not 
been in King Arthur’s court. She answered that 
she had never been there; but she spoke false, for 
she was one of the damsels of Morgan le Fay. She 
knew Arthur well enough, and had come to that 
place at her mistress’ bidding to contrive that he 
should undertake the battle on behalf of Sir Damas. 


124 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


The damsel then went to Sir Damas and told 
him how she had found a knight for him. So he 
sent for King Arthur, and when he came Damas saw 
that he was a strong man, well made, and knightly 
in his carriage, and so was well content to have him 
for his champion. Then Arthur said to Sir Damas 
that he would do battle for him to the uttermost on 
condition that all the prisoners should be released. 
So Damas brought the twenty knights out of the 
dark prison and gave them their liberty. And so 
they all waited to see the battle. 


CHAPTER II 


HOW KING ARTHUR FOUGHT WITH SIR ACCOLON 

W HEN Sir Accolon, the knight who was in 
the ship with King Arthur, awoke from 
his sleep, he found himself lying by the 
side of a beautiful fountain. And there came out of 
the fountain a pipe of silver, and out of that pipe 
ran water high up in a marble basin. And when Sir 
Accolon sawthis he crossed himself and said, ‘'Jesus, 
save my lord. King Arthur and King Urience, for 
these damsels in this ship have betrayed us; they 
were devils and no women ; and if I escape this mis- 
adventure I shall destroy those false damsels that 
use enchantments.^’ 

With this there came to him a dwarf with a great 
mouth and flat nose, and saluted Sir Accolon and 
said, ‘T have come from Queen Morgan le Fay who 
greets you well, and bids you be strong of heart, 
for you are to fight to-morrow morning early with 
a knight. Therefore I have brought you King 
Arthur’s sword, Excalibur, and its scabbard; and 
Queen Morgan desires you, as you love her, to do 

125 


126 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


battle to the uttermost, as you promised her when 
she and you talked privately together.” 

“I understand you well,” said Sir Accolon; “and 
now that I have the sword, I will make good what I 
promised.” So he sent loving messages to Queen 
Morgan; and now he knew that the enchantment 
of the ship and the means whereby he had been 
transported to the side of the fountain, were of her 
contrivance. And now also by her means was Sir 
Accolon conducted to the manor of Sir Ontzlake, 
Damas’s brother, where he had passing good cheer. 
Then Sir Damas sent unto his brother. Sir Ontz- 
lake, and bade him make ready by to-morrow at 
the hour of prime, to be in the field to fight with 
a good knight. When this word came to Sir Ontz- 
lake, he was passing heavy; for a little while be- 
fore he had been wounded through both thighs 
with a spear. So Sir Ontzlake knew not what to 
do, for he was so badly hurt that he could not stand 
on his feet. But his guest. Sir Accolon, when he 
knew what the matter was, offered to fight in his 
stead, as Morgan le Fay had sent him word to do. 
Then Sir Ontzlake was very thankful, and sent 
word to Sir Damas that he would have a knight 
ready in the field by the hour of prime. 

On the morrow King Arthur heard mass; and 
after that he armed himself and mounted his horse, 
and went to the place appointed for the battle, 
where was a great gathering of the gentlefolk 


HOW ARTHUR FOUGHT WITH SIR ACCOLON 12 ^ 

of the country. While Arthur was waiting, there 
came to him a damsel from Morgan le Fay and 
brought a sword and scabbard, like Excalibur and 
its scabbard, saying, '‘Morgan le Fay sends you 
here your sword for the great love she bears you.” 
For this the king was thankful; never dreaming 
that both the sword and the scabbard were only 
counterfeit, and were brittle and false. 

Then Sir Accolon came into the field and as 
both their vizors were down neither of the knights 
knew the other. So they rode together with such 
force that both were unhorsed ; and then they drew 
their swords and fought on foot, giving each other 
many heavy strokes. While they were thus fight- 
ing, the damsel of the lake came into the field, she 
who had put Merlin in his magic prison. And she 
came hither for the love she bore to King Arthur, 
for she knew how Morgan le Fay had ordained that 
King Arthur should be slain that day, and she 
hoped to save his life. 

As they fought. Sir Accolon wounded the king 
with almost every blow, and shed much blood; 
while he himself lost no blood at all, because he 
had the scabbard of Excalibur at his side. When 
King Arthur felt himself so wounded, and saw his 
own blood upon the ground, he was dismayed, for 
he began to understand that the sword which he 
had could not be his own, and it seemed to him 
that the other knight's sword was very like Ex- 


128 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


calibur. But for all that he held himself full 
knightly, and defended himself so well that all the 
people there said that they had never seen a knight 
fight better. 

At length with loss of blood, he grew so feeble 
that he withdrew a little to rest. But Sir Accolon 
was bold because he knew he had Excalibur; and 
he called out, ‘dt is no time for me to suffer thee to 
rest.” And therewith he came fiercely upon King 
Arthur, and King Arthur met him and smote him 
so mightily in the helm that he nearly fell to the 
earth. But with that stroke Arthur’s sword broke 
at the cross, and left only the pommel and the 
handle in his hand. When King Arthur saw that, 
he feared that he must die, yet still he held his shield 
up before him and lost no ground and abated not 
in courage. 

Now, Sir Accolon, when he saw that Arthur’s 
sword was broken, said, “Knight, thou art weapon- 
less and may no longer endure. I am full loth to 
slay thee, wherefore yield thee to me as recreant.” 
“Nay,” answered Arthur, “I may not yield, for I 
have sworn to do thee battle to the uttermost. 
Therefore I would rather die with honor than to 
live with shame ; and if you slay me being weapon- 
less, it will be to thy shame.” 

“For that I care not,” answered Accolon; and 
then he came fiercely on, and struck Arthur a blow 
that well-nigh sent him to the earth. But the 


HOW ARTHUR FOUGHT WITH SIR ACCOLON 120 

king pressed against Accolon with his shield and 
smote him with the pommel in his hand so that he 
went three strides back. When the damsel of the 
lake beheld King Arthur, how full of prowess and 
worthiness he was, and the false treason that was 
wrought against him, she had great pity that so 
good a knight and so noble a man of worship 
should be slain. So at the next stroke of Sir 
Accolon, by the damsel’s enchantment, the sword 
Excalibur slipped from his hand and fell to the 
earth; and Arthur leaped quickly to it and got it 
in his hand. And forthwith he saw clearly that it 
was in truth hig good sword Excalibur. At this he 
cried, “Ah, my good sword, thou hast been too 
long from me, and much damage thou hast done 
me.” Therewith he spied his scabbard hanging at 
Sir Accolon’s side, and suddenly he sprang to him 
and snatched the scabbard and drew it from him 
with all his might. 

“O knight,” said King Arthur, “you have done 
me much hurt with this sword, but now I warrant 
you that ere we part I will reward you with it as 
you have rewarded me.” Therewith he rushed 
upon Accolon with all his might, and pulled him to 
the earth, took off his helmet, and smote him with 
such a buffet on the head that the blood gushed out 
of his ears, nose, and mouth. “Now will I slay 
thee,” said King Arthur. “Slay me you may,” 
answered Accolon, “if it please you; for you are the 


9 


130 THE STORY OR KING ARTHUR 

best knight that ever I met, and I see well that God 
is with yon. But I promised to fight this battle 
to the uttermost, and so I cannot yield to you.” 

Then it seemed to King Arthur that he knew the 
knight, so he asked him his name. '‘Sir,” answered 
Acco'lon, ‘T am of the court of King Arthur, and my 
name is Accolon of Gaul.” At this King Arthur 
was sore troubled, for he remembered that Accolon 
was favored by his sister Morgan le Fay. “Oh, sir 
knight,” he said, “I pray you tell me who gave you 
this sword?” 

“Woe with this sword,” said Sir Accolon, “for 
by it I have gotten my death.” Then he confessed 
that the sword had been sent him by Morgan le 
Fay, with the intent that he should kill King 
Arthur with it; for Arthur is the man which she 
most hateth in the world ; and she loveth me out of 
measure and I do her in return. And when by her 
crafts King Arthur was slain, she would compass 
the death of King Urience, her husband, so that I 
and she might be king and queen. But to kill 
King Arthur,” he said, “I never could have had the 
heart to do.” 

When he made this confession, Accolon begged 
Arthur to tell him who he was. To this the king 
replied, “O Sir Accolon, now know thee that I am 
King Arthur, to whom thou hast done great 
damage.” When Accolon heard that he cried out, 
“O! my gracious lord, have mercy on me, for I 


HOW ARTHUR FOUGHT WITH SIR ACCOLON I3I 

knew you not.” “Sir Accolon,” said King Arthur, 
“mercy shalt thou have, for I believe that thou 
didst not know me; but none the less thou hast 
plotted my death, and art therefore a traitor. Still 
I blame thee not so much as I do my sister Mor- 
gan le Fay ; for she by false arts has made thee con- 
sent to her evil purposes. But I will be avenged 
on her, if I live, so that all Christendom shall hear 
of it, for I have honored her and trusted her more 
than even my own wife.” 

Then King Arthur called the keepers of the field 
to draw nigh, and Sir Accolon cried aloud unto 
them all and told them that the noble knight with 
whom he had done battle was none other than King 
Arthur, our most sovereign liege and lord, the man 
of the most prowess and worship in the world. 
Then all the people fell down upon their knees and 
begged King Arthur’s mercy. “Mercy ye shall 
have,” said King Arthur; “but you may see what 
adventures oftentimes befall to errant knights, and 
how I have fought with one of my own knights to 
my great damage and his own.” 

Then he ordered Sir Damas to give his brother, 
Sir Ontzlake, his rightful inheritance, and charged 
him, on penalty of death, to atone to the knights 
he had left in prison, for the harm he had done to 
them, and never more to meddle with knights 
errant that might come into his country. And Sir 
Ontzlake he charged to come to his court, because 


132 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


he was a good knight, and promised him honor and 
achievement. 

Then the king and Sir Accolon were removed to 
a rich abbey of nuns, a few miles away, where their 
wounds were dressed, and within a few days King 
Arthur was healed; but Sir Accolon had lost so 
much blood that he could not be recovered. When 
he was dead, Arthur bade six knights to bear his 
body to Morgan le Fay, and charged them to say 
that the king sent him to her for a present, and 
that he had got back his sword Excalibur and the 
scabbard. So they departed with the body. 


CHAPTER III 


MORGAN LE FAY AND THE ENCHANTED MANTLE 

I N the meantime, Morgan le Fay, believing that 
all her plans had well carried, thought that 
King Arthur was dead. So one day as she 
espied King Urience as he lay sleeping upon his 
couch, she called a damsel and bade her bring his 
sword that she might slay him. But the damsel 
said, “O madam, if ye slay my lord you can never 
escape.'’ “Have you no care for that,” said Mor- 
gan le Fay, “therefore hie you fast and fetch me 
the sword.” 

Then the damsel departed with a heavy heart, 
and finding Sir Ewaine sleeping in his chamber, 
she awakened him and bade him arise and hasten 
to his mother, “For she will slay the king, your 
father, as he lies sleeping on his bed, and hath sent 
me in all haste to bring her his sword for this pur- 
pose.” “Well,” said Ewaine, “go on your way and 
let me deal with the matter.” 

So the damsel went and brought the sword to 
her mistress with trembling hands, and the queen 
took the sword and went boldly to the bedside of 

133 


.134 the story of king Arthur 

the king, and stood a moment thinking where she 
best might smite him. As she lifted up the sword 
to smite, Sir Ewaine rushed to her and caught her 
by the hand, and said, “Ah ! fiend, what wilt thou 
do? If thou were not my mother, I would smite 
off thy head with this sword. Men say that Merlin 
was begotten by a devil ; but I may say that I have 
an earthly fiend for a mother.” 

“O fair son Ewaine!” said Morgan le Fay, 
“have mercy upon me. I was tempted of the 
devil ; wherefore I cry thee mercy, and promise that 
I will nevermore do so ; so save my honor and dis- 
cover me not.” Then Sir Ewaine promised that 
he would not make the thing known; and his 
mother gave her word that she would be true to her 
promise. 

Meantime there came tidings to Morgan le Fay 
that Accolon was dead, and that King Arthur had 
got back his sword and scabbard, at which she was 
full of grief and anger. But because she would not 
have it known, she made no show of grief, though 
she knew that when King Arthur came hither, 
nothing would save her life. So she asked leave 
of Queen Guinevere to return to her own country ; 
but the queen told her she had better wait till 
King Arthur came home. But to deceive the 
queen she said that she had such hasty tidings that 
she could not tarry. So Queen Guinevere gave 
consent for her to depart. 











THE ENCHANTED MANTLE 1 35 

So early in the morning she took her horse and 
rode away. As she and her attendants journeyed 
they came to the same abbey of nuns where King 
Arthur lay. And learning that he was there, she 
went into the abbey and asked where the king was. 
They told her that he was asleep in his chamber, 
having had but little rest for three nights; so she 
said she would go in and wake him herself. As 
she was his sister, and a queen, no one thought to 
say her nay ; so she went into the chamber, intend- 
ing to steal from him his sword Excalibur. She 
found the king asleep with his sword held tightly in 
his right hand. When she saw she could not get 
his sword without waking him, she was passing 
sorry. However, she took the scabbard, and went 
on her way. 

When the king awoke and missed the scabbard 
he was very wroth, and still more so when he knew 
who had stolen it. So he and Sir Ontzlake armed 
themselves hastily, and rode after Queen Morgan, 
and after a while came in sight of her. When she 
saw King Arthur was pursuing her she rode as fast 
as she could; but he gained upon her, drawing 
nearer and nearer. Then seeing she could not es- 
cape him she went to the shore of a lake that was 
near by and threw the scabbard into it, saying, 
^'Whatever may become of me, my brother shall 
not have the scabbard.” After that she rode on 
again with her knights into a valley where were a 


136 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


great many stones; and when she saw she would 
be overtaken, by her enchantments she turned her- 
self and her knights into marble statues. 

When King Arthur and Sir Ontzlake came up 
and saw the statues, they thought that the change 
had been wrought by the judgment of God. They 
could not find the scabbard for it was so heavy with 
gold and precious stones that it sank into the lake ; 
and so they rode back to the abbey. As soon as 
they were gone, the queen turned herself and her 
knights back into flesh and blood, as they were be- 
fore; and they went on their way to the country 
of Gore. Then she made her castles strong and gar- 
risoned them, for she had great dread of King 
Arthur’s wrath. But with a semblance of courage, 
she sent him word that while she could change her- 
self and her men into likeness of stones, she had no 
cause to fear him. 

When King Arthur had well rested himself at the 
abbey, he came to Camelot and found his queen 
and his barons right glad at his coming. And 
when he had told them of his strange adventures, 
they all marveled at the falseness of his sister Mor- 
gan le Fay, and many knights urged that she 
should be burned. 

Meanwhile Morgan abated no whit of her hatred 
against the king, nor of her evil designs against 
him. She made pretense of great sorrow for her 
deeds, but with secret wiles and show of friendship 
she still sought the death of the king. She sent 


THE ENCHANTED MANTLE 


■137 


a damsel to the court with a mantle, the richest that 
ever was seen in the world, for it was so covered 
with precious stones that there was not space 
enough to put on another. The damsel who bore 
it said to the king, “Your sister sends you this 
mantle, and desires that you shall take this gift of 
her; and in what she has offended you, she will 
amend it at your own pleasure.” 

When the king saw this mantle, he was much 
pleased with it ; but he said little for he did not put 
much trust in his sister. While he was considering 
what he should say, there came to him the Lady 
Viviane, saying that she must speak with him in 
private. So the king gave her private audience, 
and then she said to the king that on no account 
should he put on the mantle, or let it be worn by 
any in his court, until it had been put on by the 
damsel who had brought it. “Well,” said King 
Arthur, “this shall be done;” so he called the 
damsel to him, and bade her put on the mantle. 

To this the damsel was opposed, saying, “Sir, it 
will not beseem me to wear a knight’s garm^ent.” 
But Arthur said that she must wear it before it came 
on his back or that of any one who was there. So 
the king made her put on the mantle, much against 
her will. Then was seen a marvelous thing, for as 
soon as the mantle was clasped about her, flames 
shot forth, and straightway she fell down dead and 
was burned to ashes. Then King Arthur saw how 
great was the treason of his sister Morgan le Fay. 


CHAPTER IV 


THE MEETING WITH SIR MARHAUS 

T hen was King Arthur exceeding wroth 
against his sister Morgan le Fay, and be- 
cause he suspected that her son, Sir Ewaine, 
was aware of her plots, he banished him from court. 
But Sir Ewaine was not at fault, but ever held by 
his father and King Arthur, and hated his mother’s 
treachery. When Sir Gawaine heard that his 
cousin was to be banished, he made ready to go 
with him, for he said, ‘‘Whoso banisheth my cousin, 
banisheth me also.” So they both departed from 
the court. 

When the people knew that Sir Gawaine was 
departed from the court, there was much sorrow 
among them all. And Sir Gaheris, the brother of 
Sir Gawaine, said, “Now we have lost two good 
knight^s for the love of one.” 

The two knights rode on until they came to a 
great forest, when they saw a tower in a valley. By 
the tower were two knights armed and on horse- 
back ; and a little distant from the tower were twelve 
damsels who kept going to and fro beneath a tree. 

138 


THE MEETING WITH SIR MARMAUS 1 39 

As Gawaine and Ewaine went nearer, they saw a 
white shield hanging on the tree, and that the damn 
sels were throwing mire upon it to befoul it. 

Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Ewaine went and 
saluted them, and asked them why they offered 
this despite to the shield. “Sirs,” answered one 
of the damsels, “there is a knight in this 
country that weareth this white shield, and he 
is a passing good knight with his hands, but he 
hates all ladies and gentlewomen, and therefore do 
we defile his shield. His name is Sir Marhaus, and 
he is brother to the wife of King Anguisance of 
Ireland.” “I know him well,” said Sir Ewaine, 
“he is one of the best knights living.” And Sir 
Gawaine said, “You are to blame, fair damsels, for 
he who hung the shield there may soon return and 
need to use it to match other knights who may 
attack him.” 

While they thus spoke, they saw Sir Marhaus 
riding toward them. Then all the damsels fled into 
the tower, and so frightened were they that some 
of them fell by the way. And one of the knights 
of the tower rode forth and put his spear in rest 
and cried aloud, “Sir Marhaus, defend yourself.” 
Then they ran together and Sir Marhaus smote the 
knight so hard that he hurled him from his horse 
and broke his neck. Thereupon the other knight 
of the tower came on, and he was also soon smitten 
down horse and man stark dead. 


140 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


When this was done, Sir Marhaus rode unto his 
shield and saw how it was despoiled, and said, “Of 
this despite I am partly avenged; but for her love 
who gave me this white shield, I shall wear it, and 
hang mine here instead.” So he hung the shield 
about his neck, and then rode straightway to 
Sir Gawaine and Sir Ewaine, and asked them 
what they did there. They answered that they 
came from King Arthur’s court to seek adven- 
tures. 

“Well,” said Sir Marhaus, “here am I ready to 
fulfill any adventure you may require of me;” and 
he rode back a little way to get space to run a 
course with them. Sir Ewaine did not wish that 
they should joust with Sir Marhaus; but Gawaine 
said that they should be shamed if they did not 
essay him. Then said Ewaine, “I shall meet 
him first, for I am weaker than you; and if 
he smite me down then perchance you may 
avenge me.” 

So these two knights came together, and Sir 
Marhaus smote down Sir Ewaine, horse and man, 
and hurt him in the left side. Then Sir Marhaus 
turned his horse and rode toward Sir Gawaine who 
met him fiercely ; but when they came together Ga- 
waine’s spear broke, and Sir Marhaus overthrew 
him also. Then Sir Gawaine sprang lightly to his 
feet, and drew his sword, bidding Sir Marhaus 
alight, or he would slay his horse. Therewith Sir 


THE MEETING WITH SIR MARHAUS I4I 

Marhaiis dismounted, and tied his horse to a tree ; 
then he pulled out his sword, and they fought 
eagerly together, giving each other many sore 
strokes. And so it was that after nine o’clock Sir 
Gawaine’s strength waxed stronger and by the hour 
of noon it was thrice increased. At this Sir Mar- 
haus marveled ; but being a knight of great prowess 
he withstood Sir Gawaine mightily. And when it 
was past noon and drawing toward even-time. Sir i 
Gawaine’s strength began to grow more feeble, till 
at last he could no longer endure. 

‘‘Sir knight,” said Sir Marhaus, “I have well felt 
that you are a passing good knight, and a man of 
marvelous might as ever I have met. Our quarrel 
is not so great that it need be fought to the death, 
and I should be loth to do you hurt, for I perceive 
you are very feeble.” “Ah, gentle knight,” said Sir 
Gawaine, “you are more courteous than I.” And 
therewith they took off their helms and kissed each 
other and swore to love each other as brethren. 
Then Sir Marhaus asked Sir Gawaine to lodge with 
him that night; and he took them both, Gawaine 
and his cousin, to a good lodging that he had near 
by. 

As they rode Gawaine asked Sir Marhaus why, 
being so valiant a knight, he had no lady love but 
seemed to hate all damsels. Sir Marhaus replied 
that he did not hate all damsels, but only those of 
the tower, and such as they, for they were nothing 


142 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


but witches and enchantresses. To all good ladies 
and gentlemen, he said, he owed his service as a 
knight ought to do. 

In a little while they came to Sir Marhaus’ dwell- 
ing, which was in a little priory, and there they 
alighted ; and ladies and damsels came and took off 
their arms and looked at their hurts for they were 
all wounded. Here Gawaine and Ewaine lodged 
for a full week until their wounds were healed ; and 
when Sir Marhaus knew that they were King 
Arthur’s nephews, he made them all the cheer that 
lay in his power. When they were whole again, 
he said that he would ride with them through the 
forest; and so they rode for seven days till they 
came to a country that was called Arroy, a country 
which was always full of strange adventures. As 
they were riding along, they came to a valley in 
which was a fair fountain, at the side of which sat 
three damsels. One was three score years and 
wore a garland of gold about her head ; the second 
was thirty years and she also wore a circlet of gold 
about her head ; and the third was but fifteen years, 
and about her head was a garland of flowers. The 
knights saluted the three damsels and asked them 
why they sat at the fountain. 

“We are here,” said the eldest, “to show strange 
adventures to errant knights. As ye are seeking 
adventures, you must each choose one of us, and 
go forth by a separate way; and this day twelve- 


THE MEETING WITH SIR MARHAUS I43 

month we will all meet here again to tell our ad- 
ventures.” 

To this the knights assented; and Sir Ewaine, 
because he was the youngest, and the least experi- 
enced, chose the eldest damsel as she could be of 
most help to him. Sir Marhaus took the second 
damsel, as her age was the most fitting to his; so 
the youngest and fairest damsel was left to Sir Ga- 
waine, with which he was well pleased. Then each 
damsel took her knight by the reins of his bridle, 
and brought them to the three ways, and there they 
made an oath to meet at the fountain that day 
twelvemonth if they were alive. And each knight 
set his lady behind him and departed. Sir Gawaine 
going toward the west. Sir Marhaus going south, 
and Sir Gawaine going north. 


CHAPTER V 


THE ADVENTURES OF GAWAINE AND HIS DAMSEE 

A S Gawaine and his damsel rode along they 
. came to a cross by the wayside, and while 
they were there a knight passed them, the 
fairest and comeliest they had ever seen, making 
great moan and sorrow. He saluted Gawaine with 
courtesy and wished him much worship; and Ga- 
waine wished him the same in return, to which the 
knight replied that such was not for him, for only 
sorrow and shame could come to him. 

Then as this doleful knight rode forward there 
came against him ten knights, one after another; 
and he smote them all down with one spear. When 
they were all ten on foot, they went to him and he 
stood stone still and suffered them to pull him off 
his horse, and bind him hand and foot and tie him 
under his horse^s belly, and so lead him away. 

‘‘Surely,” said Sir Gawaine, “this is a doleful 
sight to see a knight so badly treated. “Sir,” said 
the damsel, “it would be to your worship and honor 
to help that dolorous knight, for he is one of the 
144 


SIR GAWAINE AND HIS DAMSEL I45 

best knights that ever I saw.” “I would be glad 
to help him,” said Sir Gawaine, ‘‘but it seems to me 
that he would not have my help.” But the damsel 
said sharply, “It seems to me that you have no 
heart to help him;” and she was wroth at Sir Ga- 
waine. 

As they talked there came two knights armed at 
all points, one of whom cried out, “Sir Gawaine, 
knight of King Arthur, make thou ready to joust 
with me.” So they ran together so mightily that 
both were overthrown. Then they drew their 
swords and fought hard together. In the mean- 
time the other knight went to the damsel and 
asked her to leave Gawaine and abide with him, 
promising to be her true and faithful knight. To 
this the damsel listened and gave her word that she 
would go with him, saying she would not remain 
with Gawaine because he would not strive for the 
knight that was led away by the ten knights he 
had overthrown. So while Gawaine was fighting, 
the damsel went away with the other knight. 

Gawaine and the strange knight fought together 
a long time, and at last they agreed together to 
leave off fighting ; and the knight took Gawaine to 
his manor near by. As they went Gawaine asked 
what knight that was who smote down the ten 
knights, and then suffered himself to be bound 
hand and foot and so led away. 

“Ah,” said the other, “that is the best knight I 


146 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

ever saw, and I do not believe there is a better in 
the world. His name is Sir Pelleas, and he loves 
a great lady in this country that is called Ettarde. 
He first beheld her at a tournament which was held 
in this place, at which were many ladies and five 
hundred knights. And he who proved the best 
knight was to have a passing good sword and a 
circlet of gold to give to the lady at the tournament 
whom he held to be the fairest. Sir Pelleas was 
by far the best knight that was there, for no man 
could withstand him, and each of the three days the 
tournament lasted he struck down more than 
twenty knights. So he won the prize, and forth- 
with he went to the lady Ettarde and laid the circlet 
at her feet and said openly that she was the fairest 
lady that was there and that he would prove it on 
any knight there who said him nay. So he chose 
her for his sovereign lady, and said he would never 
love any other but her. But she was very proud and 
made scorn of Sir Pelleas, and said she would never 
love him even though he would die for her. 
Wherefore all the ladies and gentlemen had scorn 
for her because she was so proud. But he followed 
her to her manor, saying he would never leave her 
till she loved him, and now he is lodged at a priory 
near by her. Every day she. sends out knights to 
fight with him; and he always puts them to the 
worse, and then suffers them to take him prisoner 
and lead him to her unworthily, because in no 


SIR GAWAINE AND HIS DAMSEL I47 

Other way can he gain a sight of his lady-love. And 
all this she does to cause him to leave the country 
and to leave off loving her.” 

When Gawaine heard this he was full of pity for 
the knight Sir Pelleas, and said that the next day he 
would seek him and offer him what help he could. 
In the morning he took leave of his host, and 
sought Sir Pelleas, whom he found sorrowing in the 
forest. Then Sir Pelleas told Gawaine all the sad 
story of his love, saying he would rather die than 
not win her love, but lived hoping that he might 
win her love at last. 

“And now,” he said, “I pray thee that thou be- 
tray me not but help me to win my lady’s love, for 
I may never come to her but by the help of some 
good knight. For she is in a strong castle here 
near by, and to see her I let the knights whom she 
sends to fight with me bind me and take me into 
her castle; but when I am brought before her she 
rebuketh me in the foulest manner and will not suf- 
fer me even to be her prisoner, but has her knights 
take me and my horse and let me out of the gates.” 

“Well,” said Gawaine, “leave off your mourning 
and I promise you by the faith of my body that I 
will do all that lies in my power to get you the love 
of your lady.” “Ah, my good friend,” said Pelleas, 
“pray tell me who you are and how you hope to 
help me win my lady’s love.” Then Gawaine told 
him who he was, and that he would take Sir Pelleas’ 


148 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

horse and armor, and ride to the lady’s castle, and 
tell her that he had slain her lover and thus gain 
access to her, and then do what he could to win 
her love for Pelleas. 

So they changed horses and armor, and Gawaine 
rode to Ettarde’s castle. At first she would not see 
him, but fled to the castle, thinking it was Sir 
Pelleas. But Gawaine called to her and stopped 
her, and when he told her that he had slain Sir 
Pelleas she received him right gladly, and the more 
so when he told her his name, and that he was' the 
nephew of King Arthur. “It is a pity,” she said, 
“that Pelleas was killed, for he was a good knight 
in his body ; but I hated him more than any person 
living, and while he lived I could never have peace. 
But for that ye have slain him I shall be your love, 
and do anything that may please you and so she 
gave her love to Gawaine. 

Now the lady Ettarde was exceedingly fair, and 
when Gawaine saw her he loved her sorely, so that 
he no longer heeded the oath he had sworn to Sir 
Pelleas, but wooed the lady for himself. So they 
lived together in a pavilion outside the castle, for 
Ettarde no longer feared Sir Pelleas, thinking he 
was dead. For three days and nights they stayed 
there; and then Sir Pelleas, who had been waiting 
for Gawaine at his lodging, could endure it no 
longer, but armed himself, and mounted his horse 
and rode to the castle. When he came to the 


SIR GAWAINE AND HIS DAMSEL 1 49 

pavilion, he saw both Gawaine and the lady there 
asleep ; and he guessed that Gawaine had betrayed 
him and forsworn himself, and his heart was like to 
burst with grief. “Alas,” he said, “that ever knight 
should be found so false.” 

And then he took his horse and rode away as he 
could not abide the sight for sorrow. And when 
he had ridden half a mile or so, he turned again and 
thought to slay them both. But when he saw 
them lie so fast sleeping, he said, “Though he be 
never so false I will not slay him sleeping; for I 
never will destroy the high order of knighthood.” 
And therewith he departed again ; but when he had 
ridden half a mile he returned again determined to 
slay them. He drew his sword; but he could not 
bring himself to slay them sleeping, so he laid his 
naked sword across the lady’s throat, and rode 
away making great sorrow. When Ettarde awoke 
and saw the naked sword at her throat, she knew 
it was Sir Pelleas’s sword; and then she perceived 
that Gawaine had told her false. And she said, 
“Alas, ye have betrayed both me and Sir Pelleas, 
for you told me you had slain him and now I know 
well he is alive. And if Sir Pelleas had been as un- 
courteous with you as you have been to him, you 
would now be a dead knight.” Sir Gawaine could 
say nothing in excuse, so he armed himself and 
rode away into the forest, well knowing that he 
had stained his knightly honor. 


150 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

When Sir Pelleas came to his pavilions, he called 
his knights and squires and told them how he had 
been betrayed, and that he cared not now to live. 
“For your true and faithful service,” he said, “I 
shall give you all my goods ; for I will go unto my 
bed, and never rise again until I am dead ; and when 
I am dead I charge you that you take the heart out 
of my body, and bear it unto her, between two 
silver dishes, and tell her how I saw her in the 
pavilion with the false knight. Sir Gawaine.” Then 
Sir Pelleas went to his bed, making the greatest 
sorrow that ever was. 

Soon after one of the damsels of the lake, named 
Nimue, met a knight of Sir Pelleas’s in the forest 
and learned all that had passed, how his master had 
been betrayed through a knight and a lady, and 
how he would never rise out of his bed till he was 
dead. “Bring me to him,” she said, “and I will 
heal him of his love so that he will not die; and I 
will place her in as evil a plight as he is now.” 

Then the knight brought the damsel to Sir 
Pelleas, and when she saw him she saw he was a 
likely knight, and she threw an enchantment upon 
him, and he fell asleep. Then she rode to the lady 
Ettarde, and charged that no man should waken 
Sir Pelleas till she came again. And so within two 
hours she brought the lady Ettarde thither, and 
found him still asleep ; and as they stood looking at 
him the damsel of the lake cast such an enchant- 


SIR GAWAINE AND HIS DAMSEL I5I 

ttient upon the lady Ettarde that she loved Sir 
Pelleas with all her heart. 

And anon Sir Pelleas awoke and looked upon 
the lady Ettarde, and when he saw her he hated 
her more than any woman alive ; and he said to her, 
“Go thy way, thou traitress, and come no more in 
my sight.” At this Ettarde wept bitterly, and im- 
plored him for his love ; but he would have nothing 
to do with her, but gave his love to Lady Nimue, 
who loved him faithfully in return; and they lived 
happily together all their lives. 


CHAPTER VI 


SIR MARHAUS AND EWAINE AND THEIR DAMSELS 

W E will now return to Sir Marhaus who rode 
with the damsel of thirty years of age by a 
way that led to the south. The road they 
took led them into a deep forest, and when night 
fell they knew not where they were. At last they 
came to a small lodge in the wood and asked for 
shelter; but the man that dwelt there would not 
give them shelter at any price. At last he said, “If 
you will take the adventure of your lodging, I will 
bring you where you will be lodged.” 

“What adventure is it?” asked Sir Marhaus. 
“That you will know when you come to the place,” 
answered the man. “Whatever it may be,” said 
the knight, “do thou show us the place ; for my lady 
and I and my horse are all weary, and rest we 
must have.” 

So the man went and opened the gate, and took 
them along a way until they came to a fair castle. 
He called the porter and bade him tell his lord that 
a knight-errant and fair damsel were waiting with- 
152 


SIR MARHAUS AND EWAINE 1 53 

out, and would be lodged with him. “Let them 
come in,” answered the lord; “but it may happen 
that they will repent if they lodge in my castle.” 
But Sir Marhaus was not afraid; and he and his 
damsel were led into a great hall where the lord 
of the castle was, with many goodly men about 
him. 

Then the lord of the castle asked Sir Marhaus 
who he was and whence he came. “Sir,” said Sir 
Marhaus, “I am a knight of King Arthur’s, my 
name is Sir Marhaus, and I was born in Ireland.” 
“That will be the worse for thee,” answered the 
other grimly, “for I love not thy lord nor the com- 
pany of the Round Table. Make what cheer thou 
canst to-night, for to-morrow thou wilt have to 
meet me and my six sons.” 

“Is there no other choice,” asked Sir Marhaus, 
“but that I must have to do with you and your six 
sons at once?” “No,” answered the lord; “and 
for this reason, that Sir Gawaine once slew seven of 
my sons in an encounter, and I vowed to have my 
revenge on any knight of King Arthur’s that might 
come into my power.” 

Then Sir Marhaus asked him his name, and he 
said he was called the Duke of South Marches. 
“Ah,” said Sir Marhaus, “I have heard of you ere 
this as a great foe to my lord King Arthur and to 
all his knights.” “That you shall feel to-morrow,” 
said the duke ; “and now you will go to your cham- 


154 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


ber.” So they led Sir Marhaus to 'his chamber 
where he rested well for the night. 

On the morrow the duke sent to Sir Marhaus 
that he should make himself ready for the fight. 
So the knight armed himself and rode out into the 
country around the castle where they should do 
battle. There were the duke and his six sons sit- 
ting on horseback all armed with spears. First the 
duke and two of his sons rode against Sir Marhaus 
shivering their spears against his shield; but he 
held up his spear and touched none of them. Then 
came the four sons of the duke against him; and 
they all broke their spears against his shield, while 
Sir Marhaus did not touch them. 

Then Sir Marhaus ran to the duke and smote 
him so hard that horse and rider fell to the earth, 
and so he did to each of his sons. Then he 
alighted from his horse and went up to the duke 
and called on him to yield; but some of his sons 
began to recover and would have set upon Sir 
Marhaus. ‘‘Bid your sons stand back,” said Sir 
Marhaus, “or I will do the uttermost to you 
all.” 

So when the duke saw that otherwise he could 
not escape death, he yielded and bade his sons to 
do the like. And they all kneeled down and put the 
pommel of their swords unto Sir Marhaus, and he 
received them. And Sir Marhaus bound them all 
never to be foes to King Arthur or his knights, 


SIR MARHAUS AND EWAINE 1 55 

and at the feast of Pentecost to present themselves 
at the court and make submission to the king. 

After that, Sir Marhaus departed, and tv^o days 
afterward his damsel brought him to a place where 
a tournament was to be held. The prize for the 
best knight was a circlet of gold with a thousand 
byzants. And there Sir Marhaus did so nobly that 
he smote down forty knights; so the prize was 
awarded to him. 

Then he and the damsel rode forth again, and 
after a long journey they reached the castle of a 
rich earl named Fergus. Near by there dwelt a 
giant, called Taulurd, who wrought much evil 
against the earl and wasted his lands; and Fergus 
made complaint of him to Sir Marhaus. ‘‘Sir,’’ said 
Sir Marhaus, “does this giant fight on horseback 
or on foot?” “On foot,” answered Earl Fergus, 
“for he is so large that no horse could bear him.” 
“Well,” said Sir Marhaus, “then I will fight him 
on foot.” 

So on the morrow he went forth to meet the 
giant; and soon he saw him sitting under a holly 
tree with many clubs of iron and battle axes about 
him. As soon as the giant saw Sir Marhaus he 
sprang to his feet and seized a club and rushed 
against him, and at the first blow crushed his shield 
to pieces. The knight was now in great danger, 
for the giant was both strong and a wily fighter. 
At length, however. Sir Marhaus, with a well aimed 


156 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

blow, smote off the giant’s arm above the elbow. 
Then the giant fled and the knight after him; but 
he ran into a pool of water that was so deep the 
knight could not follow him. Then Sir Marhaus 
made the earl’s men bring him some heavy stones, 
and with these he pelted the giant till he knocked 
him down in the water and drowned him. Sir 
Marhaus then went to the giant’s castle where he 
found many knights and ladies whom he delivered 
out of prison; and also so much riches that he 
was a rich man ever afterward to the end of his 
life. 

Then he returned to Earl Fergus, who not only 
thanked him, but would have given him half his 
land, but he would not take it. And here he dwelt 
for nigh half a year to recover from his wounds 
that he had received from the giant. When at last 
he was whole, he and his damsel set out again, and 
reached the fountain that was to be their trysting 
place on the appointed day. 

Now turn we to Ewaine who had ridden west- 
ward with his damsel of three score years. She 
brought him first to a tournament that was held 
in a place near the marches of Wales. At this 
tournament Sir Ewaine smote down thirty knights 
so that he won the prize, which was a gerfalcon 
and a white steed with trappings of cloth and 
gold. 

After that, his damsel brought him to a castle 


SIR MARHAUS AND EWAINE 


157 


of a great lady in that country, called the Lady of 
the Rock. Now there were two perilous knights 
that dwelt nigh the Lady of the Rock, named Sir 
Edward and Sir Hue of the Red Castle, and they 
had despoiled the lady of much of the lands. So 
she complained to Sir Ewaine ; and he said, 
“Madam, they are much to blame, for they have 
done that which is against the high order of knight- 
hood, and have broken the oaths which they have 
taken. But if you like I will speak to them and 
entreat them; and if they will not heed my words 
I will do battle with them in defence of your 
rights.” To this the lady gave m.any thanks, say- 
ing, “If I cannot reward you for this, I pray God 
will do so.” 

So on the morrow the two knights were sent for 
that they should come hither to speak to the Lady 
of the Rock. And so they came ; but when the lady 
saw there were so many, she would not suffer 
Ewaine to go out unto them, neither upon their 
surety or fair language, but made him speak to 
them out of a tower. But they cared nothing for 
what Sir P2waine said, but declared that they would 
keep what they had. “Well,” said Ewaine, “then 
I will fight with either of you, and prove upon his 
body that you do wrong this lady.” “That we will 
not assent to,” answered the two brothers, “for if 
we do battle, we will both fight with one knight at 
once; and if you can meet us both, and can con- 


158 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

quer us, the lady shah have her lands again.” To 
this Sir Ewaine agreed, and the battle was ap- 
pointed for the next day. 

On the morrow Sir Ewaine rose early and rode 
unto the plain without the gates where the two 
knights were awaiting him. And as they rode to- 
gether with great might, the two knights broke 
their spears on Sir Ewaine without unhorsing him ; 
but he smote down Sir Edward first and then spur- 
ring his horse rushed upon Sir Hue and overthrew 
him. Then he alighted from his horse and drew his 
sword and fought them hand to hand. They 
fought with great fierceness, the battle lasting full 
five hours in which they gave Sir Ewaine many 
serious wounds. At the last, Sir Ewaine smote Sir 
Edward so hard upon the helm that he clove his 
head to the collar bone. With that Sir Hue lost 
his courage and kneeled down and yielded himself 
to Sir Ewaine, who in a gentle manner received his 
sword, and then taking him by the hand led him 
into the castle. 

Then the lady was restored to all her lands, and 
Sir Hue was sworn to make his submission to King 
Arthur at the next feast of the Pentecost. But 
Sir Ewaine was so sorely injured in the fight that 
he abode with the lady for nigh half a year, until 
he was whole again. 

' And now at the end of the twelvemonth it was 
for the three knights and their damsels to meet at 


SIR MARHAtJS AND EWAINE 1 59 

the fountain. On that day all the knights were 
there, and all the damsels, except that Sir Gawaine 
did not bring his damsel, nor could she say but 
little worship of him. So the knights bade farewell 
to their damsels, and rode again into the forest; 
and there they were met by messengers from King 
Arthur commanding them to return to the court. 
And so they came to Camelot; and the king was 
passing glad at their coming, and so was all the 
court. Then the king made them swear to tell 
them all their adventures ; and so they did. 

At the feast of the Pentecost came the Lady 
Nimue and brought with her Sir Pelleas ; and at the 
tournament which King Arthur held. Sir Pelleas 
won the first prize, and Sir Marhaus the second; 
so they were both made knights of the Round 
Table in place of two who had been slain during 
the twelvemonth. King Arthur was right glad 
that he had two such good knights ; but Sir Pelleas 
never after loved Sir Gawaine, and though he 
spared him for the king’s sake, he often overthrew 
him at jousts and tournaments. 

And Sir Pelleas was ever a knight of great wor- 
ship ; and was one of the four that achieved the San- 
greal. And when’ Sir Launcelot came to be a 
knight of great prowess, the damsel of the lake. 
Lady Nimue, so contrived that Sir Pelleas never 
had to do with him, for she would not suffer him to 
be at any jousts or tournaments where Sir Launce- 


i6o 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


lot was, unless it were to fight on the same side. 
But as for Sir Marhaus, many days thereafter he 
met with Sir Tristram on an island, and there they 
fought a great battle; but at last Sir Tristram 
slew him, as will be set forth in the story of Sir 
Tristram. 


i 



THE BOOK OF SIR GARETH 


CHAPTER I 

HOW BEAUMAINS BECAME A KNIGHT 

K ing Arthur upon a time commanded that 
the solemn feast of Pentecost should be 
held at a fair city and castle of his, named 
Kinkenadon, that was at the sea-side near the 
Welsh border. So all the knights of the Round 
Table assembled as the king had commanded. 
And about noon of the day of Pentecost, as the 
king and all his knights were going to their meat, 
there came into the hall two men dressed in rich 
attire, and between them there walked a young 
man leaning on their shoulders, tall and well made, 
with broad shoulders and a comely countenance, 
and the fairest and largest hands that ever man 
saw. 

As King Arthur and his court saw him, a great 
silence fell upon them all; and as room was made 
for him, the young man raised himself to his full 

i6i 


IX 


i62 the story of king ARTHUR 

height and without saying a word walked up on the 
high dais where sat King Arthur and Queen 
Guinevere, and standing there he said, ‘‘God bless 
thee, O king, and all thy fellowship, and in special 
the fellowship of the Round Table. For this cause 
am I come hither, — to pray that thou wilt give me 
three gifts, the which shall not be unreasonable, 
but such as may be worshipfully and honorably 
granted. And as for the first gift, I will ask it now, 
and the other two on this day twelve months.” 

“Now ask,” said King Arthur, “and you shall 
have your request.” “Then, sir,” said the young 
man, “this is now my petition — that ye will give 
me meat and drink enough for these twelve months, 
and at that day I will ask my other two gifts.” 

“My fair son,” said King Arthur, “ask better, I 
counsel thee, for this is but a simple asking, for my 
heart giveth me to thee greatly; for, if I be not in 
error thou art come of men of worship, and will 
prove thyself a worshipful knight.” 

“Sir,” answered the knight, “let that be as it may. 
I have asked all that I will ask.” “Well,” said the 
king, “you shall have meat and drink enough ; that 
I never refused to friend or foe. But what is thy 
name?” “That I cannot tell,” he answered. “At 
this I greatly marvel,” said the king, “that thou 
knowest not thy name; and yet thou art one of 
the goodliest young men that I ever saw.” 

Then King Arthur called up Sir Kay, the Sen- 


HOW BEAUMAINS BECAME A KNIGHT 163 

eschal, and charged him to give the young man 
meat and drink of the best, and to treat him in all 
respects as if he were a lord’s son. “There is little 
need to go to such cost for him,” said Sir Kay, “for 
I dare undertake that he is a villain born, and will 
never be a good man. Had he come of gentle 
blood, he would have asked for horse and harness ; 
but even so he is as he hath asked. Since he has no 
name, I will give him one, and that is Beaumains, 
because he hath such fair hands, and I will bring 
him into the kitchen, and there he shall have 
good meat and broth every day, so that at the 
end of twelve months he will be as fat as a 
pork hog.” 

Then the two squires that had brought the 
young man departed, and left him with Sir Kay, 
who scorned and mocked at him. At this Sir Ga- 
waine was wroth; and so was Sir Launcelot, who 
bade Sir Kay to leave off his mocking, for, said he, 
“I dare lay my head that he will prove a man of 
great worship.” “That cannot be,” said Sir Kay, 
“else he would not have asked for bread and drink 
alone. Upon pain of my life he was brought up in 
some abbey where they have fallen short of sus- 
tenance ; so he has come hither for it.” 

Then Sir Kay took him and gave him a place to 
eat at the bottom of the table among the 'squires 
and boys, and there he ate sadly. Afterward both 
Launcelot and Gawaine invited him to their cham- 


164 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

bers, and offered him many things, but he refused 
them and would do nothing but as Sir Kay com- 
manded. So he was put into the kitchen and lay 
every night as the boys of the kitchen did ; and this 
he endured for the whole year, and never displeased 
any, but was always gentle and mild. But when- 
ever there was jousting of the knights he would be 
there to see it if he could; and when there were 
sports for the servants of the court, he always took 
part, and none might cast the stone or the bar so 
far as he by full two yards. Then would Sir Kay 
say, '‘How like you my boy of the kitchen?” 

So it passed till the feast of Pentecost, and at 
that time the king held at Caerleon one of his royal 
feasts; and when he and his knights went in to 
meat, there came in a damsel and saluted the king, 
and prayed him for succor. 

"For whom?” asked the king. "What is the ad- 
venture?” "Sir,” said she, "there is a lady of great 
worship who is besieged by a tyrant, so that 
she may not go out of her castle ; and because it is 
so reported that here in your court are the noblest 
knights of the world, I am come to pray you for 
succor.” 

"What call you the lady?” asked the king; 
"where dwellest she, and what is his name that be- 
sieges her?” "Sir king,” answered the damsel, "as 
for my lady’s name, that I may not tell you at this 
time. But she hath high rank and great estate; 


HOW BEAUMAINS BECAME A KNIGHT 165 


and the tyrant that besieges her and destroys 
her lands is called the Red Knight of the Red 
Lands.’' 

“I know him not,” said King Arthur. ^‘Sir,” 
said Gawaine, “I know him well. He is one of the 
most perilous knights in the world. It is said he 
has seven men’s strength, and from him I once 
escaped very narrowly with my life.” 

“Fair damsel,” said the king, “there are knights 
here that would willingly undertake to rescue your 
lady, but because you will not tell her name, nor 
where she dwelleth, none of my knights shall go 
with you by my will.” “Then I must seek further,” 
quoth the damsel. 

But while she was making ready to depart. Beau- 
mains came before the king and said, “Sir king, 
God thank you, I have been these twelve months 
in your kitchen, and have had my full sustenance; 
and now I will ask my two gifts that I spoke of 
before.” 

“Ask upon my peril,” said the king. “Then, 
sir, these shall be my two gifts: first, that ye will 
grant me to have this adventure of the damsel.” 
“Thou shalt have it,” said the king; “I grant it 
to thee.” 

“And, secondly,” said Beaumains, “that ye bid 
Sir Launcelot du Lake to make' me a knight; for 
of him and no other will I be made a knight. And 
when I am gone, I pray you let him ride after me, 


l66 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

and make me a knight when I require him.” “All 
this shall be done,” said the king. 

When the damsel saw the young man and knew 
where he had lived the past year, she said, “Fie on 
you, sir king ! shall I have none but your kitchen- 
boy to undertake my adventure?” Then she was 
wroth and took her horse and departed. And with 
that there came a dwarf, who brought to Beau- 
mains a noble horse and armor, and all that was 
fitting for a knight, and when he was armed there 
were few in the court so goodly to look upon as 
he. Then he came into the hall and took his leave 
of King Arthur and Sir Gawaine, and prayed Sir 
Launcelot to ride after him, and then he mounted 
his horse and rode after the damsel. 

Now all the court marveled when they saw him 
mounted, though he had neither spear nor shield. 
And Sir Kay took his horse and spear and rode 
after him. And as Beaumains overtook the dam- 
sel, Sir Kay rode up and cried aloud, “What, Sir 
Beaumains, know you not me?” Then Beau- 
mains turned his horse, and saw that it was Sir Kay, 
and said, “Yea, I know you for an ungentle knight 
of the court, and therefore beware of me.” 

Thereupon Sir Kay put his spear in rest and ran 
upon him. But Beaumains turned aside the spear 
with his sword, and smote Sir Kay so hard on the 
side that he fell as though he had been dead. Then 
Beaumains alighted and took Sir Kay’s spear and 


HOW BEAUMAINS BECAME A KNIGHT 167 

shield; and then got on his horse again, and con- 
tinued on his way, bidding his dwarf ride Sir Kay’s 
horse. 

Meanwhile Sir Launcelot rode up to Beaumains 
and offered to joust with him. So they made 
ready and ran together so mightily that both were 
borne to the earth and much bruised. When they 
rose Beaumains put his shield before him, and 
asked Sir Launcelot to fight with him on foot ; and 
this they did for well nigh an hour. Sir Launcelot 
found Beaumains so strong that he marveled, for 
he fought more like a giant than a man. 

Then Launcelot began to dread lest he should 
be shamed; so he said, “Beaumains, fight not so 
sore ; your quarrel and mine is not so great but we 
may leave off.” “That is true,” said Beaumains, 
“but it doth me good to feel your might; and yet, 
my lord, I have not shown the uttermost.” 

Then he asked Sir Launcelot to give him the 
order of knighthood. “You must first tell me 
your name,” said Launcelot, “and of what kin you 
were born.” “Sir, if you will not disclose it to 
others I will tell you,” said Beaumains. This Sir 
Launcelot promised ; and then Beaumains disclosed 
that his name was Gareth, and that he was the 
youngest son of King Lot and brother to Gawaine. 
Of this Sir Launcelot was right glad, and so he 
made him a knight. 

Then Beaumains departed with the damsel, and 


1 68 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

Sir Lanncelot came back to Sir Kay, and had him 
borne back to Caerleon on a shield. He was long 
disabled with his wound, and scarce escaped with 
his life; and all men scorned him, because he had 
been overthrown by a young man whom he had 
so mocked. 


CHAPTER II 


BEAUMAINS’S ADVENTURE FOR THE DAMSEL 

T hen Beaumains rode on and overtook the 
damsel, but she gave him nothing but hard 
words. ‘'What do you here?” she said. 
“You smell of the kitchen ; your clothes are defiled 
with grease and tallow which you got in King 
Arthur’s scullery. Think you I hold you any better 
for what you did to that knight? Not so, for you 
overthrew him unhappily and cowardly. There- 
fore, prithee, return, poor kitchen knave. I know 
thee well, for Sir Kay named thee Beaumains. 
What art thou but a turner of spits and a washer 
of dishes !” 

“Damsel,” said Sir Beaumains, “say to me what 
you choose, I shall not go from you whatever you 
may say; for King Arthur has given me your ad- 
venture, and I will fulfill it to the end, or else die 
in it.” 

“Thou finish my adventure!” she said. “Talk 
not of it ; for thou wilt be met presently by one of 
such sort that, for all the broth thou hast ever 

169 


170 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


supped, thou wouldst not look him in the face/* 
“That shall be seen,” said Beaumains. 

So as they thus rode through the wood there 
came a man on horseback, fleeing in great fear. 
“What is the matter?” asked Beaumains. “O 
knight help me !” cried the other. “For near by in 
a glade are six thieves who have taken my lord 
and bound him, and I fear they will slay him.” 
“Bring me thither,” said Beaumains. 

And so they rode together until they came to 
where the thieves were with the knight bound. 
And Beaumains rode upon them, and with his first 
three strokes he slew three of them., and the other 
three fled. Then he rode after them and overtook 
them, and as they turned to defend themselves he 
slew them all ; and then returned and unbound the 
knight. Then the knight thanked him greatly and 
begged him to come to his castle where he would 
give him rich rewards. 

But Beaumains said, “Sir, I will have no rewards, 
for I must follow this damsel.” But when he came 
near her she railed at him and bade him ride further 
off because he smelt of the kitchen. “And for all 
this deed that thou hast done,” she said, “it but so 
happened to thee.” 

Then the knight whom Beaumains had released 
rode after the damsel and prayed her to lodge with 
him that night, and because it was nearly dark she 
rode with him to his castle where they had great 


BEAUMAINS’S ADVENTURE FOR THE DAMSEL I7I 

cheer. But when at supper the knight placed 
Beaumains afore the damsel, she reproached him 
for placing a common kitchen knave at the same 
table with a lady of high parentage. Then the 
knight was ashamed of her words, and he took 
Beaumains and sat down with him at another table. 

On the morrow the damsel and Beaumains 
thanked the knight and rode forth again. Soon 
they came to a great river where there was but one 
ford, and on the further side were two knights that 
kept the passage. “What sayest thou?” said the 
damsel. “Wilt thou match yonder knights, or wilt 
thou return again.” “Nay,” said Beaumains, “I 
would not return again if there were six more.” 

So he rushed into the water and encountered one 
of the knights in the middle of the ford. The 
spears of both broke in their hands, at which they 
drew their swords and fought fiercely, till at last 
Beaumains smote the other so hard a blow upon 
the helm that he fell stunned into the water and 
was drowned. Then he spurred his horse to the 
land, where the other knight fell upon him and 
broke his spear also, and then they fought together 
with their swords, till Beaumains clove the knight’s 
head to his shoulders. And when the damsel saw 
that, she crossed over the ford. 

But the damsel said, “Alas, that ever a kitchen- 
boy should have the fortune to destroy two such 
doughty knights ! Think not that thou hast done 


\^2 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

well; for the first knight's horse stumbled, and he 
was drowned in the water, and not conquered by 
thy might; and as for the other knight it was by 
mishap that thou earnest up behind him and slew 
him/^ 

“Damsel,” answered Sir Beaumains, “you may 
say what you will, but with whomsoever I have to 
do, I trust to God to match him ere we part. And 
as for your words, I care not so that I may win your 
lady.” “Fie! fie! foul kitchen knave,” she an- 
swered; “ere long thou shalt see a knight that will 
abate thy boast.” 

“Fair damsel,” he replied, “give me fair words 
and all my care is past, for I care not what knight 
I may meet. But whatever you may say, I shall 
follow you wheresoever you may go.” 

So they rode together until even-song, and 
ever she chid him' and scoffed him, and would not 
cease. So they came to a land that was all black, 
and there was a black hawthorn by the wayside 
on which hung a black banner, and by its side a 
black shield. Near by stood a black spear and a 
great black horse with silk trappings, and close at 
hand sat a knight, all armed in black harness, who 
was named the Knight of the Black Lands. When 
the damsel saw him she bade Beaumains flee down 
the valley, for his horse was not saddled. “I thank 
you,” said Beaumains, “for ever you would make 
me a coward.” 


BEAUMAINS’S ADVENTURE FOR THE DAMSEL 1 73 

Then the black knight came to the damsel and 
said, “Fair lady, have you brought this knight from 
King Arthur’s court to be your champion?” “Nay, 
sir,” she answered, “this is but a kitchen knave that 
hath been fed in King Arthur’s kitchen for alms.” 

“Wherefore conieth he in such array?” asked the 
knight. “It is a great shame that he beareth you 
company.” “Sir, I cannot be delivered of him,” 
said the damsel, “for he rideth with me against my 
will. I would that you put him from me or else 
slay him; for he is an unhappy knave, and hath 
done unhappily to-day through pure misadventure, 
for he hath slain two knights at the passage of the 
water.” 

“I wonder,” said the black knight, “that any man 
of worship would have to do with him.” “Sir, they 
know him not,” she answered, “and because he rides 
with me, they think he is some knight of good 
blood.” 

“That may well be,” said the black knight, 
“especially as he seems a full likely person, and 
worthy to be a strong man. But this much I will 
do for you, that I shall put him down on his feet, 
and his horse and his armor shall he leave with 
me, for it were a shame for me to do him any more 
harm.” 

When Sir Beaumains heard him say this to her, 
he said, “Sir knight, thou art full liberal of my 
horse and my armor: but I let thee know that it 


174 the story of king Arthur 

cost thee naught; and this land I will ride through 
whether thou like it or not, and neither horse nor 
armor wilt thou get from me, except thou win it 
with thy hands.” 

“Say you so!” said the black knight, smiling. 
“Now yield thy lady to me without more words, for 
it beseems not a kitchen knave to ride with such a 
lady.” “Thou liest,” said Beaumains. “I am a 
gentleman born, and of higher lineage than thou, 
and that will I prove upon thy body.” 

Then in great wrath they drew apart their horses, 
and ran together with a crash like thunder. The 
black knight’s spear was broken in his hand, but 
Beaumains’s spear thrust through the other’s side 
and broke in upon his body. Nevertheless the 
black knight drew his sword and smote hard at 
Beaumains, hurting him sorely, and Sir Beaumains 
struck at him in return ; but at last the black knight 
fell from his horse in a swoon and died forth- 
with. 

When Sir Beaumains saw that the horse and 
armor were so much better than his own, he 
alighted and armed himself in the black knight’s 
armor, and took his horse and then rode after the 
damsel. But still she gave, him many reproaches, 
and said that he had slain the black knight through 
mischance; and she warned him that there was a 
knight near by who would give him full payment, 
and that he had better flee and make his escape. 


BEAUMAINS’S ADVENTURE FOR THE DAMSEL 1 75 

But Beaumains answered that he would not leave 
her for all that she might say. 

Then as they rode together they saw a knight 
riding by who was dressed in green, and his horse 
had green trappings. When he came nigh the 
damsel he said to her, “Is that my brother, the 
black knight, that you have with you?” “Nay,” 
the damsel answered, “this is an unhappy kitchen 
knave that hath slain your brother by mischance.” 

“Alas !” said the green knight, “it is a pity that 
so noble a knight should be slain by a knave’s 
hand.” Then turning to Beaumains he said, “Ah, 
traitor ! thou shalt die for slaying my brother.” “I 
defy thee,” answered Beaumains; “for I let thee 
know that I slew thy brother knightly, and not 
shamefully.” 

Then the green knight blew upon a horn three 
deadly notes, upon which there came three damsels 
who quickly armed him with a green armor and 
gave him a green shield and a green spear. Then 
the two knights rode together furiously, and the 
spears of both broke in their hands. So they drew 
their swords and fought a full hard battle, and the 
green knight dealt Beaumains many sore strokes; 
but at the last, for all he could do, Beaumains got 
the better of him and struck him to the ground. 
So the green knight yielded to Beaumains, and 
prayed him to grant him his life. 

“All this is vain,” said Beaumains, “for thou shalt 


176 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

die except my damsel pray me to spare thy life.’^ 
And therewith he began to unlace his helm as 
though he would have slain him. ^‘Fie upon thee, 
kitchen page,” said the damsel ; “I will never pray 
thee to spare his life, for I will never be so much 
in thy debt.” “Then shall he die,” quoth Beau- 
mains. 

“Alas !” said the green knight, “suffer me not to 
die when a fair word would save my life.” Then 
turning to Beaumains he said, “O fair knight, do 
thou spare me and I will forgive thee the death of 
my brother, and ever will be thy man, and thirty 
knights of mine shall be at thy commandment.” 
“Thou art mad,” said the damsel, “to talk of a 
dirty kitchen knave having thirty knights at his 
service.” 

“Sir knight,” said Beaumains, “nothing shall 
avail you unless my damsel speak with me for thy 
life ;” at which he raised his sword as if to slay him. 
“Let be,” said the damsel, “thou base scullion, slay 
not that knight, or else thou wilt repent it.” 
“Damsel,” said Beaumains, “your charge is to me 
a pleasure, and at your commandment I will spare 
his life.” 

Then the green knight knelt down and did hom- 
age to Beaumains, and after that he conducted 
them both to his castle, for by this time it was dark. 
But ever as before, the damsel would not suffer 
Beaumains to sit at the same table with her, so the 


BEAUMAINS’S ADVENTURE FOR THE DAMSEL 1 77 



green knight sat with him at a side-table. “I mar- 
vel,” said he to the damsel, ‘hhat you should re- 
buke this noble knight as you do, for I know no 
knight able to match him.” 

“It is a shame,” she answered, “that you should 
say such worship of him.” To which the knight re- 
plied, “Truly, it would be shameful for me to say 
any disworship of him, for he has proven himself a 
better knight than I am.” 

On the morrow they rose early, and after they 
had broken their fast, the green knight, with the 
thirty knights that served him, escorted them 
through a perilous forest; and at parting he said 
that he and his thirty knights would ever be at 
Sir Beaumains's command. So the knight and the 
damsel pursued their way ; and still she chid him as 
sorely as ever, and bade him flee, for they were 
coming to a place where she said, “Were thou as 
mighty as Sir Launcelot thou shalt not pass 
thereby, a place that is called the Pass Perilous.” 

But of all this Beaumains took no heed except 
to say that he feared no dangers. And as they 
rode they came to a great tower with great battle- 
ments, as white as snow; and over its gate hung 
fifty shields of various colors. By the tower was a 
fair meadow on which were standing many 
pavilions, and thereabout were knights and squires, 
for on the morrow there was appointed to be a 
tournament at that castle. The lord of the castle 


12 


178 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


was called the Red Knight, because he went all in 
red. 

As he looked out of the window, he saw Sir 
Beaumains as he rode with his damsel and his 
dwarf ; and as he saw him he said, “With that knight 
will I joust, for I see that he is a knight-errant.” 
So he armed himself hastily, and mounted his 
horse; and when he drew near Sir Beaumains and 
saw his black armor, he thought it was his brother 
the black knight, and said, “Brother, what do you 
in these marches?” 

“Nay,” said the damsel, “this is not your brother, 
but an unhappy kitchen knave that hath overcome 
your brother, and taken his horse and armor; and 
I saw him also overcome your other brother, the 
green knight. Now you may be avenged upon 
him, for I cannot get quit of him.” 

So without more words the two knights took 
their distance, and came together with such force 
that both their horses fell to the earth. Then they 
drew their swords and fought fiercely therewith 
for well nigh two hours. The damsel who stood 
by and watched them at last cried out, “Alas, thou 
noble red knight, think of what worship hath fol- 
lowed thee, and let not a kitchen knave endure be^ 
fore thee as this one doth.” At this the red knight 
redoubled his strokes, hurting Beaumains so sore 
that his blood ran down to the ground; but Beau- 
mains answered him so fiercely that in a little while 


BEAUMAINS’S ADVENTURE FOR THE DAMSEL 1 79 

he smote him to the earth. As he drew his sword 
to slay him the red knight cried for mercy, saying, 
“Noble knight, slay me not, and I will yield the 
fifty knights that are at my command.’' 

“All this will avail thee naught,” said Beaumains, 
“unless my damsel pray me to save your life.” And 
he made semblance to strike off his head. But the 
damsel said, “Let be, thou Beaumains, slay him 
not, for he is a noble knight.” 

Then Beaumains bade the knight stand up and 
thank the damsel for his life. Then the red knight 
took them to his castle and kept them over night 
where they had good cheer, except that the damsel 
still spoke many foul words to Sir Beaumains, 
whereof the red knight had great marvel. On the 
morrow before they departed the red knight came 
with his fifty knights to proffer homage to Sir 
Beaumains, who thanked him courteously, saying, 
“Grant me that when I call upon you, to come be- 
fore my lord. King Arthur, and yield you unto him 
to be his knight.” To this the red knight assented, 
saying, “I will be ready with all my fellowship at 
your command.” 

Then Beaumains and the damsel rode away, but 
still she chid him with unpleasant words, and Beau- 
mains said to her, “Damsel, you are uncourteous 
to rebuke me as ye do. I have done you great 
service; and though ever you threaten me that I 
shall be beaten by the knights we meet, yet hither- 


l80 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

to they have all had to lie in the dust or mire. 
Therefore, I pray you, rebuke me no more unless 
you see me beaten or yielding recreant; then you 
may bid me go away from you in shame ; but until 
then I tell you plainly I will not depart from you, 
for I should be worse than a fool were I to leave 
you while I win worship.” 

Then was the dam.sel somewhat abashed, but she 
said, ‘‘Well, right soon shalt thou meet with a 
knight that will pay thee all thy wages, for he is 
the man of the most worship in the world, except 
King Arthur.” To this Beaumains replied, “The 
more worship he has, the more worship will it be to 
me to have to do with him.” 

In a little while they came in sight of a fair city, 
and between them and the city was a great meadow 
that was newly mown, wherein were many pavilions. 
The damsel told Beaumains that the lord of the city 
was a goodly knight called Sir Persuant of Ind, 
whose custom it was in fair weather to dwell in 
that meadow to joust and tourney, and that he had 
ever about him five hundred knights and gentle- 
men. The damsel would have had Beaumains 
avoid Sir Persuant, lest he should get some hurt ; 
for they were now near the castle of the Red Knight 
of the Red Lands who had laid siege to her lady; 
and Sir Persuant, she said, though a strong knight, 
was as nothing to him. But Beaumains answered 
her fairly and softly that he should think it a shame 


BEAUMAINS^S ADVENTURE FOR THE DAMSEL l8l 

not to prove Sir Persuant, now that they had come 
so near him. 

Then the damsel said, ‘T marvel what manner of 
man you are. You surely must be of noble blood, 
for more foully or shamefully did lady never rule 
or rebuke a knight than I have done to you, and yet 
you have borne it all patiently ; and that came never 
but of gentle blood and lineage.” 

“Damsel,” said Beaumains, “a knight is worth 
little that cannot endure a woman’s tongue ; but in 
truth the more you said the more you angered me, 
and I wreaked my wrath on those with whom I 
fought, so that all your hard words only aided me 
in my battles. As to my blood, though it is true 
that I had meat in King Arthur’s kitchen, yet if I 
had willed I might have had meat elsewhere, and 
all I did there was but to prove my friends.” 

“Alas ! fair Beaumains,” she said, “forgive me all 
that I have missaid and misdone against you.” 
To which Beaumains replied, “With all my heart, 
fair damsel, I forgive it you, for ye did nothing but 
as ye ought to do, for all your evil words pleased 
me; and since it liketh you to speak thus fair to 
me, know ye that it gladdens greatly my heart ; and 
now it seemeth that there is no knight living but I 
am able for him.” 

While thus they spoke together. Sir Persuant of 
Ind had espied them, and he sent to inquire whether 
Beaumains came in war or in peace. “Say unto 


i 82 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


thy lord/’ said Beaumains, “that I care not; it is 
as himself may choose.” 

When this answer was brought to Sir Persuant 
he said, “Then will I have ado with him to the 
uttermost.” So he armed himself and rode toward 
Beaumains, who prepared himself to meet him. 
And as they rode together so great was the shock 
that their spears were broken and their horses fell 
dead to the earth. So they drew their swords and 
fought for more than two hours, and both were 
sorely wounded and their armor cut in many places ; 
but at last Beaumains smote Sir Persuant on the 
helm so that he fell groveling to the ground, and 
then he leapt upon him and unlaced his helm to 
have slain him, when Sir Persuant yielded and cried 
for mercy. With that the damsel came and prayed 
Beaumains to save his life, which Beaumains readily 
granted, saying, “It were a pity that this noble 
knight should die.” 

And the knight said, “Thanks, gentle knight and 
damsel ; and now I am sure that ye slew the black 
knight, my brother. Sir Percard, and conquered my 
other brothers. Sir Pertolepe, the green knight, 
and Sir Perimones, the red knight. And now3^ou 
shall have my homage and fealty, and a hundred 
knights to be always at your command.” 

So they went to Sir Persuant’s pavilion where 
they supped merrily together, and afterward retired 
to rest. And when they had broken their fast the 


BEAUMAINS’S ADVENTURE FOR THE DAMSEE 1 83 

next day, Sir Persuant asked whither they 
were going. ''Sir,” said the damsel, "we are 
going to the siege of my sister at the Castle Dan- 
gerous.” 

"Ah !”said Sir Persuant, "there is the Red Knight 
of the Red Lands, who is the most perilous knight 
that I know, and a man that is without mercy, and 
it is said that he hath seven men’s strength. He 
doth great wrong to the lady, and that is a pity, for 
she is one of the fairest in the world. If thou art 
her sister, is not thy name Lynette?” 

"Yes,” she said, "and my sister’s name is Dame 
Lyones. And now, my lord,” she continued, "I re- 
quire of ye that ye will make this gentleman a 
knight or ever he fight with the Red Knight.” To 
which Sir Persuant replied, "I will with all my 
heart, if it please him to take the order of knight- 
hood from so simple a man as I am.” 

Then Beaumains, thanking him for his good will, 
told them that he had been made a knight by Sir 
Launcelot. "Ah,” replied Sir Persuant, "of a more 
renowned knight you could not have become a 
knight ; for of all the knights in the world he may 
be called the chief of all knighthood; and next to 
him are Sir Tristram de Lyones and Sir Lamorack 
de Galis.” 

"I too would fain have good honor of knight- 
hood,” said Sir Beaumains, "and if ye will not dis- 
cover it I will tell you that I come of noble lineage ; 


184 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


for my name is Sir Gareth of Orkney, and King 
Lot was my father, and my mother was King 
Arthur’s sister, and Sir Gawaine is my brother and 
Sir Agravaine and Sir Gaheris, and I am the 
youngest of them all, and yet neither King Arthur 
nor Sir Gawaine knoweth who I am.” 


CHAPTER III 


HOW BEAUMAINS CONQUERED THE RED KNIGHT 
AND DELIVERED DAME LYONES 

T hen the damsel sent word to Dame Lyones 
of her coming, by the dwarf, and how she 
brought with her a knight that had passed 
all perilous passages. “What manner of man is 
he?” said the lady. Dame Lyones. “He is a noble 
knight, truly, madam,” said the dwarf, “and but a 
young man, but he is as likely a man as ever ye 
saw.” 

Then the dwarf told her that he was the king’s 
son of Orkney, and was made knight by Sir 
Launcelot, and had slain the two knights at the 
ford, and the black knight, and had overthrown 
the green knight, the red knight, and the blue 
knight, which was Sir Persuant. This made her 
heart right glad, for she thought he must be one 
of the best knights in the world. So she sent rich 
food and wine to a hermitage that was near at hand, 
and a courteous message to Beaumains that he 
should be of good heart and good courage. 

Then the damsel and Sir Beaumains took their 

185 


i86 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


leave of Sir Persuant who sent a hackney coach to 
convey them on their way. And so in a little while 
they came unto the hermitage, and there they 
drank the wine and ate the venison and the baken 
fowls. And when they had rested, the dwarf re- 
turned again to the castle; and on the way he met 
the red knight who inquired whence he came and 
where he had been. 

‘"Sir,” said the dwarf, ‘‘I have been with my 
lady’s sister of this castle, and she hath been to 
King Arthur’s court, and has brought a knight with 
her.” “Then I count her travel lost,” answered 
the knight, “for though she had brought Sir 
Launcelot or Sir Gawaine or Sir Tristram, I would 
think myself good enough for them.” 

“It may well be,” said the dwarf ; “but this knight 
has passed all the perilous places and has slain all 
the knights that opposed him.” “Then,” said the 
red knight, “he must be one of those that I have 
named.” 

“He is none of those,” answered the dwarf, “but 
he is a king’s son.” “What is his name?” inquired 
the knight. “That I will not tell you,” said the 
dwarf; “but Sir Kay in scorn called him Beau- 
mains.” “I care not for him,” said the red knight. 
“What knight soever he may be, I shall soon deal 
with him ; and if I win him he shall have a shame- 
ful death, as many others have had.” And so they 
parted. 


BEAUMAINS AND THE RED KNIGHT 1 87 

That night Sir Beaumains and the damsel Lyn- 
ette remained at the hermitage. The next morning 
they took their horses and rode through a forest, 
and came to a plain where they saw many pavilions 
and tents, and beyond them a great castle. As 
they came near, Beaumains saw that upon great 
trees to the right and to the left hung by the necks 
more than fifty knights, with their shields and 
swords fastened about them. Then Sir Beaumains 
abated his countenance and said, '‘What is this?” 

"Fair sir,” said Lynette, "do not be discouraged 
by this sight, all these knights came hither to this 
siege to rescue my sister; and when the Red Knight 
of the Red Lands had overcame them, he put them 
to a shameful death without mercy or pity, and in 
the same way he will serve you, unless you prove 
yourself the better knight.” 

"Jesu defend me,” cried Beaumains, "from such 
a villainous death ! Rather than that T should fare 
thus, I would be slain in the battle.” "You need 
not trust in him,” said the damsel, "for he hath no 
courtesy, but all that he overcomes are shamefully 
murdered. And that is a great pity, for he is a 
full likely man, and of great prowess and hath wide 
lands and possessions.” "He may be a noble 
knight,” said Beaumains, "but he useth shameful 
customs ; and it is marvelous that none of the good 
knights of my lord King Arthur have dealt with 
him before now.” 


i88 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


And as they rode, they came near the castle and 
saw that it was surrounded with many ditches and 
full strong walls, and the sea beat upon one side of 
the walls where lay many ships. Near by stood a 
tall sycamore tree, on which hung the greatest horn 
they ever saw, made of elephant’s bone; and Lyn- 
ette told Beaumains that if he would meet the red 
knight he must blow that horn. “But, sir, I pray 
thee, she said, “blow it not till noon; for it is now 
but prime, and it is said that his strength increases 
till at noon he has seven men’s strength.” 

“Fie for shame, fair damsel,” said Beaumains; 
“say no more as to that. If he was the best knight 
that ever was, I would meet him in his most might.” 
So saying he spurred his horse to the sycamore and 
blew the horn so eagerly that all the place rang 
with noise. Then came knights from the tents and 
the pavilion to look, and they that were in the castle 
looked from the walls. As for the red knight, he 
armed himself hastily, and took a red spear in his 
hand, and rode out to a place where all that were 
in the castle and at the siege might see the battle. 

“Sir,” said Lynette to Beaumains, “now be 
merry, for yonder comes your deadly enemy; and 
there at yonder window is my sister. Dame 
Lyones.” And she showed him where Dame 
Lyones was looking from a window in the castle. 

“That is true,” said Beaumains; “and she is the 
fairest lady that ever I looked upon. I ask no 


BEAUMAINS AND THE RED KNIGHT 189 

better quarrel than now to do battle for her, for she 
shall be my lady, and for her will I fight.” And as. 
he looked at her the Lady Lyones made a courtesy 
to him, holding up both her hands. 

With that came the Red Knight of the Red Lands, 
and called to Beaumains, saying, ^‘Leave thy look- 
ing, sir knight, and behold me ; for I warn thee that 
that is my lady, and for her have I done many 
strong battles.” “If thou hast,” said Sir Beau- 
mains, “it seems to me it was but waste labor, for 
she loveth thee not. If I were advised that she was 
not glad of my coming, I would not do battle for 
her; but know thou well. Sir Knight, that now I love 
her, and will rescue her, or else die in the quarrel.” 

“Say you so,” said the red knight; “methinks 
you ought to beware on account of the knights that 
you see hanging on yonder elms.” “For shame,” 
answered Beaumains, “that you should ever say or 
do such evil, in which you shame yourself and the 
order of knighthood. Think you that the sight 
of those hanged -knights causeth me to fear? 
Truly, it is not so; that shameful sight causeth me 
to have more courage and hardihood against you.” 
“Make you ready and talk no longer,” said the Red 
Knight of the Red Lands, “and we shall decide 
which one shall have the lady.” 

With that they put their spears in their rests, and 
came together with all the might they had, and 
smote each other in the midddle of their shields, so 


190 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


that their spears broke, and both fell to the ground, 
where they lay for some time stunned; and all that 
watched said the strange knight must be a noble 
jouster, for never before had the Red Knight of the 
Red Lands been so matched. Then they drew 
their swords, and rushed at each other like fierce 
lions, dealing great buffets, till they hewed large 
pieces from their shields and armor. And so they 
fought hour after hour, till it was past noon, and 
neither would stint ; and then they rested for 
awhile. When they went to battle again, they 
fought more fiercely than ever, and dashed against 
each other so hard that they often both fell to the 
ground. Thus they endured till eventide, and none 
could tell which was likelier to win the battle. 

Their armor was so hewn that in many places 
they were naked, but ever they defended those 
places. The red knight was a wily fighter, and his 
cunning taught Beaumains to be wise; but he 
bought his wisdom dearly. Then they agreed 
to rest again, and took off their helms to 
catch the cool air. When Beaumains’s helm was 
off he looked up at the window and saw Dame 
Lyones, and she gave him such a look that his heart 
was light and joyful. So suddenly he started up 
and bade the red knight make ready. ‘T am full 
willing,” said the red knight ; so they got on their 
helms again and the stern combat began once more. 
But the red knight smote Beaumains on the arm. 


BEAUMAINS AND THE RED KNIGHT I9I 

SO that his sword fell out of his hand, and then gave 
him such a buffet on his helm that he fell to the 
earth, and the red knight fell over him to hold him 
down. Then cried the damsel Lynette, “O Beau- 
mains, where is thy courage? Alas! my sister be- 
holds thee, and sobs and weeps so that it makes my 
heart heavy.” 

When Beaumains heard that, he rose with great 
might, and leaped lightly to his sword, caught it in 
his hand, and rushed upon the red knight, dealing 
blows so thick and fast as to smite the sword out 
of his hand. Then he hurled him to the ground, 
and unlaced his helm to slay him. Then the red 
knight yielded and cried for mercy ; but Beaumains 
thought of the knights that had been so shame- 
fully hanged, and answered, ‘T may not with wor- 
ship spare thy life, because of the shameful deaths 
thou hast caused so many good knights to die.” 

^‘Sir,” said the red knight, ^‘hold your hand and 
you shall know why I put them to such a death.” 
^‘Say on,” said Beaumains. “Sir, I once loved a 
lady, and she had a brother slain. And she said it 
was by Sir Launcelot or Sir Gawaine, and she made 
me swear as I loved her, to labor daily in arms till 
I met one of them, and that all I overcame should 
be put to a villainous death; and this is the cause 
for my oath that I have put those good knights 
to death.” 

Now while he was speaking there came many 


192 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


earls and barons and noble knights, and fell on 
their knees before Sir Beaumains, and prayed him 
to give the red knight his life, saying that it were 
better to take homage and fealty of him and hold 
his lands, than to slay him; saying also that they 
would become his men and do homage and fealty. 

''Fair lords,” said Beaumains, "I am full loth 
to slay this knight, for though he has done passing 
ill and shamefully, it was all at a lady’s request, so 
he is the less to be blamed. For your sakes I will 
release him, and he shall have his life upon this cov- 
enant that he go within the castle and yield him 
there to the lady and ask her forgiveness, and 
make amends for all the trespass he has done upon 
her lands. And when that is done, he must go to 
the court of King Arthur, and crave pardon of Sir 
Launcelot du Lake and of Sir Gawaine for the ill- 
will he has borne against them.” 

"Sir,” said the Red Knight of the Red Lands, "all 
this will I do as you command.” Then he and all 
his barons did homage and fealty to Sir Beaumains. 
And after that the damsel Lynette, who was a right 
skilled leech, came and searched the wounds of 
both, applying healing ointment. For ten days they 
sojourned in their tents; and when their wounds 
were healed, the Red Knight of the Red Lands went 
into the castle and made his peace with Dame 
Lyones, making amends to her for all the wrong 
he had done her. After that he departed and rode 


BEAUMAINS AND THE RED KNIGHT 193 

to King Arthur, where he craved the pardon of 
Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine, and told them how 
he had been overcome, and all of Sir Beaumains’s 
battles. 

And when King Arthur heard it, he said, “I mar- 
vel much of what blood he hath come for he is a 
passing good knight.’' “Have no marvel,” said 
Launcelot, “for ye shall know that he is come of 
right noble blood; and as for his might, there are 
few knights now living that are as good as he.” 

“It would seem,” said King Arthur, “by the way 
you speak that you know his name and of what 
kin he is.” “That is true,” said Sir Launcelot, 
“else I would not have given him the order of 
knighthood, but he gave at that time a charge that 
I should not disclose it till he required me, or till 
it were openly made known.’^ 


13 


CHAPTER IV 


BEAUMAINS AND THE LADY DAME LYONES 

I N the meantime Beaumains, being whole of his 
wounds, greatly desired to see his lady, Dame 
Lyones; so he armed himself, took his spear, 
and rode to the castle; but when he came to the 
gate he found it shut. He marveled why they would 
not suffer him to enter ; and as he looked up to the 
window he saw there the lady herself who said to 
him, ‘‘Go thy way. Sir Beaumains, for as yet thou 
shalt not wholly have my love till thou be called 
one of the number of worthy knights. Therefore 
go and labor worshipfully in arms these twelve 
months, and thou shalt then hear tidings.” 

“Alas, fair lady,” said Beaumains, “I have not 
deserved that thou should show me this strange- 
ness. I thought to have had good cheer with you, 
and sure am I that I have bought your love with 
part of the best blood in my body.” 

“Fair knight,” answered Dame Lyones, “be not 
displeased nor over hasty, but believe me that what 
I have ordered is for the best. A twelvemonth 
194 


BEAUMAINS AND THE LADY DAME LYONES I95 

will soon be over, and I promise you that I will not 
betray you, but unto my death I shall love you and 
none other.” And then she turned her from the 
window. 

So Beaumains rode away from the castle very sad 
at heart, for his love for Dame Lyones was ex- 
ceeding great. And he rode hither and thither 
without heeding where he went, and his dwarf fol- 
lowed him. And so it happened that he came to a 
poor man’s house where he lodged that night; but 
he could get no rest for thinking of his lady. And 
on the morrow at noon being very sleepy he lay 
down on the grass with his head on his shield, bid- 
ding his dwarf watch his horse. 

Now no sooner had he gone from the castle than 
Dame Lyones, who loved him no less than he did 
her, began to repent that she had sent him away; 
and the next morning she sent for her brother, Sir 
Gringamore, who was a good knight, and entreated 
him to follow Beaumains and watch an opportunity 
to get his dwarf from him. She asked him to carry 
the dwarf to his own castle, whither she and her 
sister would go, and then they might by question- 
ing the dwarf learn who Beaumains really was. 

Sir Gringamore to please his sister undertook to 
do what she desired. So he followed Beaumains, 
and came where he lay asleep, with the dwarf 
watching him. Then he crept up softly and seized 
the dwarf in his arms and rode away with him as 


196 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

fast as he might into his castle. But as they went 
the dwarf cried out unto his master and begged him 
for help. At this Beaumains awoke and saw 
Gringamore, whose armor was all black, carrying 
away his dwarf. So he sprang up quickly, mounted 
his horse and followed as hard as he could ; but he 
knew not the way, and so lost sight of the knight. 
At last riding through marshes and fields, he came 
to a fair green way, and there met a country- 
man, and asked him whether he had seen a 
knight in black armor bearing a dwarf in his 
arms. 

'‘Sir,” said the man, “there passed me a knight 
called Sir Gringamore with a dwarf that mourned 
and complained, and he went to his castle near by. 
But I counsel you not to follow him unless you owe 
him good will, for he is a very perilous knight.” 
This counsel Beaumains heeded not, but rode to- 
ward the castle whither Gringamore had already 
come with the dwarf. 

Now Dame Lyones and her sister questioned the 
dwarf so sharply that he told them his master was 
the son of King Lot and brother of Sir Gawaine, 
and that his name was Sir Gareth of Orkney. At 
this Dame Lyones was greatly rejoiced. And 
Lynette said, “Truly, madam, he may well be a 
king’s son, for he is the most courteous and long- 
suffering man I ever met. And T dare say there 
never was a gentlewoman that reviled a man as I 


BEAUMAINS AND THE LADY DAME LYONES I97 

reviled him; and at all times he gave me good and 
meek answers again.” 

As they thus sat talking, Sir Gareth came to the 
gate, with an angry countenance and his drawn 
sword in his hand; and he cried aloud, “Thou 
traitor. Sir Gringamore, give me my dwarf, or by 
the faith I owe to the order of knighthood, I shall 
do thee all the harm I can.” 

Then Sir Gringamore looked out of the window 
and said, “Sir Gareth of Orkney, cease thy boasting 
words, for thou gettest not thy dwarf again.” 
“Thou coward knight,” returned Sir Gareth, “bring 
him with thee and do battle with me, and win him 
if you can.” “So will I do if I choose,” answered 
Gringamore ; “but for all thy angry words thou wilt 
not get him.” 

Then Dame Lyones said, “Ah, fair brother, I 
would he had his dwarf again, for I do not wish 
that he should be wroth. Know you that I love 
him before all others; and now I wish you would 
bring him here within that I may speak with him, 
but do not tell him who I am.” 

So Gringamore went down to Sir Gareth, and 
said, “Sir, I cry you mercy, and all that I have mis- 
done against you I will amend at your pleasure. 
Therefore, I beg you to alight and take such cheer 
as I can give you in this castle.” 

“Shall I have my dwarf again?” said Sir Gareth. 
“Yea, sir, and all the pleasure I can make you, for 


198 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

as soon as your dwarf told me who you were and 
what noble deeds you had done in these marches T 
repented of what I had done.” 

Then Sir Gareth alighted from his horse, and 
Gringamore took him by the hand and led him into 
the hall. And there came into the hall Dame 
Lyones, arrayed like a princess, and welcomed him 
right cheerfully and they had good cheer together. 
When Sir Gareth beheld her he said to himself, 
'‘Would that the lady of the Castle Perilous were 
as fair as she.” And the more he looked at her 
and talked with her the more in love with her he 
became; and when they went to supper he could 
not eat but sat with his eyes upon her. 

When Sir Gringamore saw this, he took his sister 
aside and told her of the knight’s love for her and 
asked her whether she wished to marry Sir Gareth, 
saying that even if she were better than she was, 
her love would be well bestowed. And she an- 
swered that she loved him better than any man in 
the world, and that she was greatly beholden to 
him for what he had done for her, and that there 
was no one she would rather have for a husband. 

So Sir Gringamore went to Sir Gareth and told 
him that his sister loved him even as he did her, 
and even better if better may be. And then he 
took him to his sister who received him with much 
affection and each had great joy in the other. And 
there she promised him her love, faithfully to love 


BEAUMAINS AND THE LADY DAME LYONES I99 

him, and never any other, all the days of her life. 
Then she told him that she was the lady for whom 
he had done battle, the lady of the Castle Perilous ; 
and how she had caused her brother to take away 
his dwarf that she might certainly know who he 
was. And she brought to him her sister, the 
damsel Lynette; and at this Sir Gareth was more 
glad than ever. And they were agreed to be mar- 
ried as soon as might be. 


CHAPTER V 

HOW SIR GARETH BECAME KNOWN 

M eanwhile the feast of Pentecost came 
round, and King Arthur held his court at 
Camelot. Then came the green knight 
with thirty knights, and they yielded themselves to 
the king; and also the red knight with fifty knights 
and Sir Persuant, the blue knight with a hundred 
knights. They all told King Arthur how they had 
been overcome by a knight that a damsel had with 
her whom she called Beaumains, and that they had 
come to court at his bidding. There also came the 
Red Knight of the Red Lands, who was named Sir 
Ironside, with five hundred knights. And all of 
these could never say enough in praise of the knight 
Beaumains and his might and gentleness. And 
Arthur said, ‘T marvel what knight this can be, and 
of what lineage he is come; he was with me a 
twelvemonth, and poorly and shamefully was he 
fostered, and Sir Kay in scorn called him Beau- 
mains. But know you well, fair lords, that I shall 
do you honor for the love of Beaumains, and as 
200 


HOW SIR GARETH BECAME KNOWN 


201 


soon as ever I meet him I shall make you all, upon 
one day, knights of the Table Round.” 

Then the king and all his court went unto their 
meat; for there was a feast. And presently there 
entered the Queen of Orkney with a great number 
of knights and ladies. Then Sir Gawaine and Sir 
Agravaine and Gaheris, her sons, went to her 
and saluted her upon their knees, and asked her 
blessing, for they had not seen her for fifteen years. 
Then she said to her brother. King Arthur, ‘What 
have you done with my young son. Sir Gareth? 
He was here among you a twelvemonth, and ye 
made a kitchen knave of him which is a great shame 
to you all. Alas! what hath become of my dear 
son, who was my joy and my bliss?” 

“Oh, dear mother,” said Gawaine, “I knew him 
not.” “Nor I,” said the king, “which I sorely re- 
pent. For you did not tell me of his coming; and 
when he came to this court he came leaning upon 
two men’s shoulders, as though he might not have 
gone. And he asked of me three gifts, all of which 
I granted him. But God be thanked, he has 
proved himself a worshipful knight as any now 
living for his years, and I shall not be glad till I 
find him.” 

“Sir,” said the queen, “I sent him unto you well 
armed and horsed, with gold and silver in great 
plenty for to spend.” “That may well be,” said the 
king, “but thereof saw we none; save on the day 


202 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


that he departed from us, when some knights told 
me that there came a dwarf hither suddenly and 
brought him armor and a good courser, at which 
we all had great marvel.” 

'‘Brother,” said the queen, "all that you say I 
believe, for ever since he was grown he was mar- 
velously witted; and ever was he faithful and true 
of his promise. But I marvel that Sir Kay did 
mock and scorn him, and give him the name of 
Beaumains ; and yet the name does not unbefit him, 
for he is a fair handed man, and well disposed as 
any living.” 

"Then,” said King Arthur, "let his name remain, 
and by the grace of God he shall be found if he is 
within these realms; and let us be of good cheer, 
for he is proved a man of worship, and that to me 
is great joy.” 

Then they counseled how they should find him, 
and Sir Launcelot advised that they send word 
unto Dame Lyones, praying her to come to court 
thinking that she could give the best counsel where 
to find him. So the messenger went in great 
haste, riding day and night, till he came to the 
Castle Perilous, and there he found her with her 
brother Sir Gringamore and Sir Gareth. When 
they learned that King Arthur had sent for her, at 
the advice of Sir Gareth, who did not wish her to 
reveal where he was, she sent word saying that she 
would come as soon as she might. When she came 


HOW SIR GARETH BECAME KNOWN 203 

she told the king she could not tell where Sir Ga- 
reth was, but advised that the king appoint a tour- 
nament at which it was quite certain they would 
hear of him. She also said that at this tournament 
the knight who proved the best should take her 
and her lands. So the king consented that a tour- 
nament should be held at the castle of Dame 
Lyones, where her knights should be against King 
Arthur’s knights. 

So great preparations were made for the tourna- 
ment. Sir Gareth summoned to the castle Sir 
Ironside and Sir Persuant, and the green and red 
knights with their following. Also many other 
noble knights came to take part against King 
Arthur’s; among whom were Sir Epinogrus, son 
of the King of Northumberland, Sir Palamides the 
Saracen, and his brothers Sir Safere and Sir Sag- 
warides, Sir Brian of the Isles, and Sir Grummore 
Gummursum, a good knight of Scotland. There 
came also Sir Tristram de Lyones — who by this 
time was reckoned the best knight of the world 
after Sir Launcelot, but was not yet a knight of 
the Round Table. With King Arthur there came 
to the tournament most of the knights of the 
Round Table. There were Sir Gawaine and his 
brethren Sir Agravaine and Sir Gaheris; Sir Tor, 
Sir Percivale de Galis and Sir Lamorack de Galis, 
sons of King Pellenore, and all of them, especially 
the last, passing good knights ; Sir Launcelot with 


204 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


all his kin; Sir Sagramore, Sir Dinadan, King 
Anguisance of Ireland, King Carodos of Scotland, 
King Urience of Gore, King Bagdemagus and his 
son Sir Meliaganus; and Sir Galahault the high 
prince, with other good knights whose names need 
not be given. And great provision was made in 
and about the castle for the lodging of all the 
knights. 

Now Sir Gareth begged all the knights that were 
on his side that they should not make him known ; 
and his lady. Dame Lyones, gave him a magical 
ring that had the virtue of changing the colors of 
him who wore it every time he chose, and also the 
knight who wore it could lose no blood. Of this 
ring Sir Gareth was very glad, because he could 
change his colors as he wished and that would pre- 
vent him from being known. 

When the tournament began on the first day, 
there came from the castle Sir Epinogrus, and Sir 
Sagramore met him on King Arthur’s part, and 
broke both their spears. Then Sir Palamides came 
out of the castle and encounterd Sir Gawaine, and 
both were overthrown. Then the knights on 
either side rescued their fellow knights and re- 
mounted them; and soon there was a great con- 
course of knights. Sir Aglovale and Sir Tor, 
knights of the Round Table, smote down Sir Brian 
and Sir Grummore. Sir Tristram, Sir Sadocke, 
and Sir Dinas, knights of the castle, encountered 


HOW SIR GARETH BECAME KNOWN 205 

Sir Bedivere, Sir Petipase, and Sir Ewaine, Sir 
Tristram overthrew Sir Bedivere, but Sir Sadocke 
and Sir Dinas had the worse. Then came in Sir 
Persuant of Ind ; but with him met Sir Launcelot, 
and smote him down, horse and man. Sir Pertol- 
ope, the green knight, encountered Sir Lionel and 
smote him out of the saddle; and Sir Perimones, 
the red knight, ran against Sir Ector de Maris in 
such wise that both were unhorsed. 

Then came in Sir Ironside and Sir Gareth from 
the castle, and against them were Sir Bors and Sir 
Bleoberis, cousins to Sir Launcelot. Sir Bors and 
Sir Ironside struck each other so hard that both 
their spears broke and their horses fell to the earth. 
Then Sir Gareth came riding in, and he overturned' 
Sir Bleoberis, and with the same spear he smote 
down Sir Galihodin, Sir Galihud, Sir Dinadan, Sir 
Dodinus, and Sir Sagramore. Then many other 
knights came rushing on him, but he overthrew 
them all. When King Anguisance saw Sir Gareth 
do this, he marveled who it might be, for at every 
course Sir Gareth changed his colors, at one time 
being in green, at another in red, and at another in 
blue. Then King Anguisance encountered Sir 
Gareth, who smote him down, horse and man ; and 
in the same wise he served King Carados, King 
Urience, King Bagdemagus and his son Sir Meli- 
aganus. 

Then Sir Galahault, the noble prince, cried out. 


2o6 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


‘‘Knight of many colors, well hast thou jousted; 
now make thee ready, that I may joust with thee.’' 
When Sir Gareth heard that he took a new spear, 
and the two ran together ; and the prince broke his 
spear, but Sir Gareth smote him on the left side 
so that he reeled in his saddle, and would have 
fallen had not his men come round him and re- 
covered him. 

“So Heaven me help,” said King Arthur, “that 
knight with the many colors is a good knight.” 
Wherefore the king called unto him Sir Launcelot 
and prayed him to joust with that knight. But Sir 
Launcelot, who was ever courteous and noble, said 
that the knight had had travail enough for that day, 
and ought to have the honor. ‘And though it lay 
in my power to put him from it,” he said, “yet 
would I not do so.” 

Then there was a drawing of swords, and there 
began a great tournament in which Launcelot did 
many marvelous deeds of arms. And then be- 
tween Sir Lamorack de Galis and Sir Ironside 
there was a strong battle, and also between Sir 
Palamides and Sir Bleoberis. And Sir Gawaine 
and Sir Tristram met together and Sir Gawaine had 
the worst of it, for Sir Tristram pulled him from off 
his horse. Then came in Sir Launcelot and fought 
with two strong knights at once, and so worship- 
fully that all men wondered at the nobleness of Sir 
Launcelot du Lake. Then came riding in Sir Ga- 


HOW SIR GARETH BECAME KNOWN 20^ 

reth, and rode up and put the two knights asunder, 
but would not strike a blow against Sir Launcelot ; 
wherefore Sir Launcelot guessed that it was Sir 
Gareth. Soon after Sir Gareth met his brother Sir 
Gawaine, and rode against him and unhorsed him; 
and so he did to five or six other knights, so that 
all who beheld said that he did better than any. 
Then Sir Tristram, who had seen how well he had 
done, went to Sir Ironside and Sir Persuant and 
asked them who that knight was that went in so 
many different colors. So they told him who he 
was and how he became a knight and related all 
the great deeds that he had done when he rode with 
the damsel Lynette. ‘'By my head,” said Sir 
Tristram, “he is a good knight and a big man at 
arms; and if he be young, he will yet prove a full 
noble knight.” 

Then Sir Gareth rode out on one side to repair 
his helm ; and as he drank some water he gave his 
dwarf his ring to hold. But when he was ready to 
resume the jousting he rode away and forgot to 
take his ring again; of which the dwarf was glad, 
because he desired that Sir Gareth should be 
known. So when Sir Gareth rode in the field again 
he went always in one color which was yellow ; and 
King Arthur sent a herald to espy who he was. 
The herald went close to him and saw written 
around his helm, in letters of gold, “This is Sir 
Gareth of Orkney.” So at King Arthur’s com- 


2o8 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


mand all the heralds cried aloud, “This is Sir Ga- 
reth of Orkney in the yellow arms.” 

When Sir Gareth saw that he was known, he was 
wroth and redoubled his strokes, and smote down 
Sir Sagramore and his brother Sir Gawaine. “O 
brother,” said Sir Gawaine, “I thought not you 
would have stricken me.” At that Sir Gareth rode 
one way and another till he got out of the press 
and came to his dwarf, and chiding him for keeping 
his ring took it from him, and thus could 
change his colors again, so that he should not be 
known. 

Now Sir Gawaine saw where he had ridden and 
followed him, which when Sir Gareth espied he 
rode into the forest so that Gawaine knew not 
whither he had gone. Then by the advice of the 
dwarf, Gareth sent back the ring to Dame Lyones 
bidding the dwarf to tell her that he would come to 
her soon. Then he rode on into the forest where 
he met many perilous adventures and overthrew 
many noble knights. Now after three days he met 
an armed knight coming toward him whom he did 
not know. Then they rode together with all their 
might and each unhorsed the other, upon which 
they drew their swords and fought fiercely for more 
than twb hours, and each hurt the other sore that 
the blood trailed to the ground. As they thus 
fought there came riding the damsel Lynette, and 
as she saw them she called out, “Sir Gawaine, Sir 


HOW SIR GARETH BECAME KNOWN 20g 

Gawaine, leave fighting with thy brother Sir 
Gareth.” 

And when he heard her say so, he threw away 
his shield and his sword, and ran to Sir Gareth and 
took him in his arms, and after knelt down and 
asked him mercy. “Who are ye,” said Sir Gareth, 
“that cry me mercy?” “O, Sir Gareth, I am your 
brother. Sir Gawaine, that for your sake have had 
great sorrow.” Then Sir Gareth unlaced his helm, 
and knelt down to him and asked him mercy. 
Then they both arose and embraced each other in 
their arms, and wept awhile so that they could not 
speak ; and each of them gave the prize of the battle 
to the other. 

Then came the damsel Lynette to King Arthur, 
who was within two miles, and told him the tidings 
concerning Sir Gareth and Sir Gawaine. And im- 
mediately he mounted a palfrey and brought with 
him all the lords and ladies of his court to the place. 
And when King Arthur came near and saw Sir 
Gareth, the joy he felt cannot be told. Then also 
came the mother of Sir Gareth, who, when she saw 
her son, was so moved that she fell to the earth 
in a swoon and lay there a long time as if she were 
dead. Sir Launcelot was also overjoyed to see 
him; and there was no knight in all the world 
whom Sir Gareth loved as he did Sir Launcelot du 
Lake. 

Then the king sent for Dame Lyones, and when 


210 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


she came she was of all the ladies the fairest and 
peerless. And when Sir Gareth beheld her, there 
were many goodly looks and words between them 
that all men of worship had joy to behold them. 
Then King Arthur asked Sir Gareth whether he 
would like to have her for his wife, and Sir Gareth 
said, “My lord, know you well that I love her above 
all ladies living.” Then turning to Dame Lyones, 
the king asked her what she had to say, to which she 
replied, “Know you, most noble king, that I would 
rather have Sir Gareth for my husband than any 
king or prince living, and if I cannot have him I 
promise you I never will have any one. He is my 
first love and my last, and if ye will suffer him to 
have his will and free choice I dare say that he will 
have me.” “That is true,” said Sir Gareth, “and 
if I cannot wed you as my wife, there shall never 
lady or gentlewoman rejoice me.” 

So the king gave his assent, and fixed the day of 
marriage at Michaelmas; and had it cried through 
all the country; and so Dame Lyones and Sir Ga- 
reth were married at Kinkenadon ; and at the same 
time the damsel Lynette was married to his^brother 
Sir Gaheris. Great was the splendor of the mar- 
riage, and there was great rejoicing. A three days’ 
tournament was held in which there was much 
jousting by famous knights ; but Sir Gareth and Sir 
Gaheris did not joust, because they were newly mar- 
ried. On the first day Sir Lamorack de Galis over- 


HOW SIR GARETH BECAME KNOWN 


2II 


threw thirty knights, and won the prize, and on that 
day were Sir Persuant of Ind and his two brethren 
made knights of the Round Table. On the second 
day Sir Tristram overthrew forty knights and won 
the prize ; and then was Sir Ironside made a knight 
of the Round Table. On the third day Sir Launce- 
lot du Lake came in, and he overthrew fifty knights, 
so the prize was given to him. But the feast was 
kept up for forty days, because King Arthur was 
wishful to do honor to his nephew Sir Gareth. 

And thus ends the story of the quest that was 
undertaken by Sir Gareth, v/ho was always a good 
knight ; for he was mighty in the field, and would 
do nothing that was shameful, and was always 
courteous and gentle to ladies. 


THE BOOK 

OF SIR LAUNCELOT DU LAKE 


CHAPTER I 

SIR LAUNCELOT AND HIS FIRST ADVENTURE 

S IR LAUNCELOT DU LAKE was the bravest 
and noblest of all the knights of the Round 
Table. He was the flower of chivalry, and 
the brightest ornament of King Arthur’s court. 
His father was King Ban of Brittany, who was a 
friend of King Arthur and had given him right 
good help when he was fighting for his kingdom. 
Upon King Ban’s return to Brittany, .his enemy, 
King Claudas of Gaul, made war upon him, and 
having many knights he put King Ban to the worse 
and despoiled him of his territory. In hope to ob- 
tain the aid of King Arthur, he fled from his castle 
in the night, with his wife Elaine and his infant son 
Launcelot, leaving it in the hands of his seneschal, 
who immediately surrendered it to King Claudas. 
212 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND HIS FIRST ADVENTURE 213 

As King Ban fled the flames from his burning 
castle reached his eyes and he fell to the earth with 
grief and died. Overcome with sorrow, his wife 
Elaine, leaving her child on the border of the lake, 
flew to receive the last sighs of her husband. When 
she returned she saw her son, the little Launcelot, 
in the arms of a damsel who, on the approach of 
the queen, threw herself into the lake and swam 
away with the child. The damsel was Viviane, the 
enchantress, who was known as the Lady of the 
Lake. 

Thus Launcelot fell to the charge of Viviane, the 
Lady of the Lake, so that afterward he got the 
name of Launcelot du Lake. She lived in a fairy 
palace, in the midst of a splendid group of knights 
and damsels; and Launcelot dwelt there until he 
was eighteen years of age, learning all kinds of ex- 
ercises befitting one who was to become a knight. 
At this age Viviane brought him to the court at 
Camelot to receive knighthood at the hands of 
King Arthur. He was already so strong and so 
skilled with the sword and spear that few knights 
could withstand him ; and when he grew to his full 
prowess and manhood he passed all other knights 
that were ever in Arthur’s court, or in the whole 
world, so that he was never put to the worse unless 
it was by treason or enchantment. King Arthur 
had great joy of Sir Launcelot; and Queen Guine- 
vere held him in high favor above all other knights. 


214 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Sir Launcelot loved the queen above all other 
ladies, and for her he did many great deeds of arms, 
and often saved her from peril, through his noble 
chivalry. 

For awhile Sir Launcelot amused himself with 
hunting and with jousting, but at last the time 
came when he thought to prove himself in some 
strange adventure. So he went to his cousin, Sir 
Lionel, and bade him make ready, for they two 
would seek adventures together. So they armed 
themselves and mounted their horses and set forth. 
At first they rode through a deep forest, and after- 
ward they came to a great plain. The day was hot, 
and at noon Sir Launcelot became weary and had 
a strong desire to sleep. Then Sir Lionel espied a 
great apple tree that stood by a hedge and said, 
“Brother, yonder is a fair shadow, there may we 
rest ourselves and our horses.” And so they 
alighted and tied their horses under the trees, and 
Sir Launcelot lay down under an apple tree, placing 
his helm under his head for a pillow, and soon fell 
into a deep slumber. And Sir Lionel watched 
while Sir Launcelot slept. 

As he sat thus watching, he espied three knights 
riding as fast as they were able, and behind them 
followed a single knight in swift pursuit. As Sir 
Idonel looked upon him he thought he was the 
noblest looking knight he had ever seen. Soon 
the strong knight overtook one of the three knights 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND HIS FIRST ADVENTURE 21 5 

and smote him to the earth; and then riding for- 
ward did the same to each of the other knights. He 
then alighted from his horse, and bound the three 
knights fast with the bridles of their own horses, 
and led them away. 

When Sir Lionel saw him do this, he made ready 
to essay the knight and thought to do it privily, so 
that Sir Launcelot would not awake and know it. 
So he sprang upon his horse and rode and overtook 
the strong knight, and bade him turn and fight him. 
At this the strong knight turned and rode upon 
Sir Lionel and smote him so hard that he bore both 
horse and man to the earth. He then bound Sir 
Lionel and threw him across his own horse, and 
did the same with all four of the knights, and then 
rode away with them to his own castle. When he 
came there he made them all unarm, and then beat 
them with naked thorns, and afterwards thrust 
them mto a deep prison where there were many 
more knights whom he had treated in the same 
manner. 

When Sir Ector de Maris knew that Sir Launce- 
lot had passed out of the court to seek adventures, 
he was wroth with himself, and made ready to seek 
Sir Launcelot. So he rode away into a great 
forest, and when he had ridden a long time he met 
with a man who was a forester. And he said to 
him, “Fair fellow, knowest thou in this country any 
adventures that be here nigh at hand?” 


2i6 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


''Sir/' said the forester, "this country I know 
well, and I can promise you all and mayhap more 
than you want. Within a mile of here is a strong 
manor, and by that manor, on the left hand, there 
is a fair ford for horses to drink, and over that ford 
there groweth a fair tree, and thereon hangeth 
many fair shields, and at the bole of the tree hang- 
eth a basin of copper and brass; and if you will 
strike thrice upon that basin with the butt of your 
spear, you shall hear tidings, or else you shall have 
the fairest grace that ever knight had who passed 
through this forest.” 

"Thanks,” said Sir Ector; and he departed and 
came to the tree and saw many fair shields hanging 
thereon, and among them he knew the shield of his 
brother. Sir Lionel, and many more that were fel- 
lows of the Round Table. At this he was grieved 
to the heart, and he vowed to revenge his brother. 

Then Sir Ector beat loudly on the basin, and 
then went and gave his horse drink at the ford. 
And soon there came a knight behind him and bade 
him come out of the water and make ready for a 
combat. At this Sir Ector turned his horse, and 
placed his spear in rest, and smote the other knight 
so great a blow that his horse turned twice around, 
but still he kept his saddle. 

"This was well done,” said the strong knight, 
"and full knightly thou hast stricken me;” and 
therewith he rushed his horse on Sir Ector and 

















SIR LAUNCELOT AND HIS FIRST ADVENTURE 21/ 

caught him under his right arm, and bare him clean 
out of his saddle, and so he rode away with him 
unto the hall of his castle, and threw him down 
into the middle of the floor. Now the name of 
this knight was Sir Turquine. 

Then he said to Sir Ector, ‘Thou hast done to 
me this day more than any knight did these twelve 
years ; and for this I will grant thee thy life if thou 
wilt swear to be my prisoner all the days of thy 
life.” “Nay,” said Sir Ector, “that will I never 
promise thee.” “For that I am very sorry,” said 
Sir Turquine. Then the strong knight took Sir 
Ector and unarmed him and beat him with sharp 
thorns, and after that put him down into a deep 
dungeon where he had placed the other knights. 

Now when Sir Ector saw Sir Lionel he was very 
sorry, and said to him, “Alas, brother, where is my 
brother Sir Launcelot?” “Fair brother,” replied 
Sir Lionel, “I left him fast asleep under an apple 
tree, and what is become of him I cannot tell you.” 
“Alas,” said all the knights, “unless Sir Launcelot 
help us we may never be delivered, for we know 
no other knight who is able to match our master, 
vSir Turquine.” 

Meanwhile Sir Launcelot lay sleeping under the 
apple tree. And about noon. King Arthur’s sister, 
Morgan le Fay, and three other queens came 
riding by ; and they saw the knight sleeping under 
the tree and knew him for Sir Launcelot. As they 


2i8 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


looked upon him they saw that he was fair and 
comely, and they began to strive with one another 
as to which of them should have him for her knight. 
Then Morgan le Fay said that they should not 
strive for him, but that she would put an enchant- 
ment Upon him so that he should sleep for six 
hours, and then bear him to her castle ; and when 
he was within her hold she would take the enchant- 
ment from him and he should choose which one of 
them he would have for his lady love. So she cast 
the enchantment upon him, and then they laid him 
upon his shield and bare him on horseback between 
two knights and brought him to the Castle Chariot, 
and laid, him in a cold and dreary chamber. 

When evening came they sent unto him a fair 
damsel with his supper. By this time the enchant- 
ment had passed away; and when he saw the 
damsel he saluted her and she bade him good cheer. 
Then the damsel told him that he was in the power 
of an enchantress, but that if he would be of good 
courage she would aid him. ‘T will tell you more to- 
morrow, by the prime of day,” she said. To this 
Sir Launcelot replied, “Thanks, fair damsel; it 
pleases me to have your good will.” And so the 
maid departed; and Sir Launcelot lay there all 
night alone in the damp chamber. 

On the morrow early came the four queens, all 
bidding him good morning, which he did them in 
return. Then Morgan le Fay said that he must 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND HIS FIRST ADVENTURE 2ig 

choose one of them for his own true love, and for- 7 
get his lady, Queen Guinevere, or else remain in 
prison all his life. ‘‘This is a hard case,” said Sir 
Launcelot, “that either I must die or else choose 
one of you ; yet had I rather die in this prison than 
take one of you for my love.” 

At this they left him; but at noon the damsel 
came to him with his dinner, and asked him what 
cheer. “Truly, fair damsel,” he replied, “in all my 
life I never was so full of grief.” Then she told 
him that she would aid him to make his escape if 
he would give her a promise that he would go and 
help her father. King Bagdemagus, in a tourna- 
ment that he and his knights were holding against 
the King of Northgalis. Some days before her 
father had been put to the worse at a tournament 
by three knights of King Arthur’s court, and she 
wanted Sir Launcelot’s help for her father. To 
this Sir Launcelot replied, “Fair maiden, I know 
your father well for a noble king and a good knight ; 
and by the faith of my body, I shall be ready to do 
him and you good service at that day.” “I thank 
you,” said the damsel, “and to-morrow I will de- 
liver you. So be ready betimes, and take your 
armor and your horse, your shield and spear; and 
repair to an abbey of white monks within ten miles 
of here; and there do you abide; and thither will 
I bring my father unto you.” “All this shall be 
done,” said Sir Launcelot, “as I am a true knight.” 


220 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


And SO the damsel departed. And on the morrow 
she came early and brought him out of the prison, 
and took him where his. armor had been placed. 
And when he was well armed and ready for battle, 
she brought him to his own horse; and lightly he 
saddled him, and took a great spear in his hand, 
and so rode forth. And as he left her he said, 
‘‘Fair damsel, I shall not fail you by the grace of 
God.’’ 

So he rode all that day into a great forest, and 
in no wise could he find any highway, and the night 
fell upon him.; and then he became aware, in a 
glade, of a pavilion of red silk. And he said, “By 
my faith, I will lodge in that pavilion this night." 
So he alighted from his horse and tied him to the 
pavilion, and then unarmed himself, and finding a 
rich bed he laid himself thereon and soon fell 
asleep. 

Then within an hour there came the knight to 
whom the pavilion belonged, and he laid himself 
down beside Sir Launcelot. Now when Sir 
Launcelot felt him he started out of the bed and 
the other knight after him, and seizing their swords 
they fell upon each other, and Sir Launcelot 
wounded the knight sorely. Then Sir Launcelot 
asked the knight why he came into the pavilion, to 
which the knight replied that it belonged to him. 
At this Sir Launcelot was passing sorry that he had 
hurt the knight, and he took him into the pavilion 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND IIIS FIRST ADVENTURE 221 


and staunched his blood. Then came the lady of 
the knight, and when she saw her lord Bellus thus 
sorely wounded, she cried out against Sir Launce- 
lot and made a great sorrow. But the knight bade 
her not to cry as he had been wounded by a good 
knight in battle. Then the lady asked Sir Launce- 
lot his name, at which he answered, “Fair lady, my 
name is Sir Launcelot of the Lake.” “So I 
thought by your speech,” said the lady, “for I have 
seen you oft and I know you better than you think. 
And now I ask, for the harm that ye have done to 
me and my lord, that when he cometh to Arthur’s 
court that you will cause him to be made a knight 
of the Round Table, for he is a passing good man 
at arms and a lord of many lands.” To this re- 
quest Sir Launcelot gave a willing assent; and so 
as they talked the night passed. 

Now when the day appeared, Sir Launcelot put 
on his armor and mounted his horse and took his 
leave, and the knight and his lady showed him the 
way toward the abbey, and thither he rode within 
the space of two hours. As Sir Launcelot came 
within the abbey yard, the daughter of King Bag- 
demagus heard the tramp of the horse upon the 
pavement. Then she arose and went to a window, 
and there she saw Sir Launcelot, and anon she bade 
the men to take his horse and lead him to the 
stable, while he himself was led into a fair chamber. 
And there he unarmed himself, and the lady sent 


222 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


him a robe to wear; and anon she came herself, 
and made Sir Launcelot passing good cheer. 

Then she sent in haste for her father, King Bag- 
demagus, who was within twelve miles of the 
abbey ; and before evening he came with a fair num- 
ber of knights with him. The king leaped quickly 
from his horse and went straight to Sir Launcelot’s 
chamber, and taking him in his arms bade him 
good cheer. Then Sir Launcelot made his com- 
plaint to the king and told him how he was be- 
trayed and how his brother Lionel had left him 
and he knew not where he was, and how his 
daughter had delivered him out of prison, and that 
while he lived he would do her service and all her 
friends and kindred. 

; “Then I am sure of your help at the tourna- 
ment,” said the king, “now on next Tuesday com- 
ing.” “Yea, sir,” said Sir Launcelot, “I shall not 
fail you, for so I have promised my lady, your 
daughter. The tournament, I hear, is to be within 
three miles of the abbey ; so you will send me three 
knights of yours, such as ye trust, and see that 
they have white shields, and I also will have a white 
shield, and we four will come out of a little wood 
in the midst of both parties, and thus it shall not 
be known what knight I am.” 

So on the morrow the four knights placed them- 
selves in ambush in a little wood close by the field 
where the tournament was to be held. Then the 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND HIS FIRST ADVENTURE 223 

King of Northgalis with his eight score helms came 
into the field on one side, and the King Bagde- 
magus with four score helms on the other side. At 
the signal they placed their spears in rest, and came 
together with a great rush, and there were slain in 
the first encounter twelve of King Bagdemagus’s 
party and six of the King of Northgalis’s party; 
and King Bagdemagus’s party was set aback. 
With that came Sir Launcelot du Lake with the 
white shield and the three knights with him, and 
riding into the fray he smote down with his spear 
five knights, breaking the backs of four of them. 
Then he smote down the King of Northgalis and 
broke his thigh in the fall. 

Now all this was seen by the three knights of 
King Arthur, and one of them. Sir Mador de la 
Porte, said, “Yonder is a shrewd guest; therefore 
I will have at him at once.” So he rode against 
him, and Sir Launcelot bore him down horse and 
man, so that his shoulder was put out of joint in the 
fall. Then said Modred, “Now it is my turn, for 
Sir Mador hath had a sore fall.” Sir Launcelot 
was aware of him, and met him with his spear in 
hand, and gave Sir Modred such a blow that the 
bow of his saddle broke and he flew over his horse’s 
tail so that his helm went into the earth a foot or 
more and his neck was nigh broken. Then came 
on Sir Gahalatine with a spear, and Launcelot 
rode against him with all his strength so that both 


224 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


their spears were shivered. Then they drew their 
swords and gave each other many a grim stroke, 
and at length Sir Launcelot smote Sir Gahalatine 
on the helm so hard that the blood burst forth from 
his mouth and ears. Therewith, his horse ran 
away with him, and he fell stunned to the earth. 

Then Sir Launcelot got another spear and before 
it broke he ran down with it sixteen knights, some 
horse and man and some the man and not the 
horse. And then he got another spear and rode 
down twelve knights, and most of them never 
fought again. And then the knights of the King 
of Northgalis would joust no more, and so the 
prize was given to King Bagdemagus. 

Then both parties departed for his own place, 
and Sir Launcelot rode forth with King Bagde- 
magus unto his castle, and there he had passing 
good cheer with the king and his daughter, and 
they offered him great gifts. And on the morrow 
he took his leave and told the king that he would 
go and seek his brother Lionel, who went from 
him while he slept. So he took his horse and com- 
mended them all to God. And as he departed he 
said to the king’s daughter, “If ye have need at 
any time of my service, I pray you let me have 
knowledge, and I shall not fail you as I am a true 
knight.” 


CHAPTER II 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE DAMSEL ON THE WHITE 
PALFREY 

N OW as Sir Launcelot rode he came by chance 
into the same forest where he was taken 
sleeping. And in the midst of the highway 
he met a damsel riding on a white palfrey, and each 
saluted the other. ‘‘Fair damsel,” said Sir Launce- 
lot, “know ye any adventures in this country?” 
“Sir knight,” replied the damsel, “here are adven- 
tures near at hand, if thou dost care to prove 
them.” 

“For that cause came I hither,” said Sir Launce- 
lot.” “Well,” said she, “thou seemest to be a 
good knight, and if thou darest meet with a good 
knight, I shall bring thee where is the best knight 
and the mightiest that ever thou didst find. But 
first I would know thy name, and what knight thou 
art.” So he told her that he was Sir Launcelot du 
Lake. 

Then she said, “Sir, there is an adventure here 
that well befits thee. Hard by dwells a knight, 
that has never yet been overcome by any man ; and 
15 225 


226 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


his name is Sir Turquine. And I am told that he 
hath in his prison many of the knights of King 
Arthur’s court which he hath won with his own 
hand. Now if you will have to do with him, and 
shall overcome him, I wish you to promise me, as 
ye are a true knight, to help me and other damsels 
that are daily distressed by a false knight.” 

Sir Launcelot promised as she desired, and so 
she brought him to the ford and to the tree where 
hung the basin. Sir Launcelot let his horse drink, 
and then he beat on the basin with the butt of his 
spear with all his might, so that the bottom fell 
out; and a long time he did so, yet he saw nothing. 
Then he rode along the gates of the castle nearly 
half an hour ; and anon he saw a great knight com- 
ing, driving a horse before him, and on the horse 
lay an armed knight bound. And as he came near. 
Sir Launcelot saw that it was Sir Gaheris, Ga- 
waine’s brother, a knight of the Table Round. 

Then Sir Launcelot rode out to meet him, and 
the great knight who was Sir Turquine, rode to 
meet Sir Launcelot; and Sir Launcelot said, '‘Fair 
knight, put that wounded knight off the horse and 
let him rest awhile, and let us two prove our 
strength. I am informed that you have done de- 
spite to many knights of the Round Table, there- 
fore now defend thyself.” “If thou art of the Table 
Round,” said Sir Turquine, “then I defy thee and 
all thy fellowship.” 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE DAMSEL 22J 


Then Sir Laiincelot and Sir Turquine put their 
spears in the rests, and came together with their 
horses as fast as they could run, and each smote 
the other in the midst of his shield so that both of 
their horses fell under them. Then as soon as they 
could get away from their horses, they drew their 
swords and took their shields and rushing together 
gave each other many strokes, so that soon both 
of them were covered with blood. Thus they 
fought for two hours or more, feinting and thrust- 
ing at each other whenever they could find an open 
place. At last they both were breathless and stood 
leaning upon their swords. 

“Now, fellow,’' said Sir Turquine, “hold thy hand 
awhile and tell me what I shall ask thee.” “Say 
on,” said Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Turquine said, 
“Thou art the biggest man that I ever met before, 
and the best breathed, and much like one knight 
that I hate above all others. And if thou be not 
that knight and will tell me thy name, I will deliver 
all the prisoners I have, and we will be friends to- 
gether while we live.” 

“That is well said,” said Sir Launcelot, “but 
since I may have your friendship, I will ask what 
knight he is that thou hatest above all others?” 
“Truly,” said Sir Turquine, “his name is Launce- 
lot dll Lake; and he slew my brother Sir Carados 
of the Dolorous Tower, one of the best knights 
then living, and therefore I have made a vow if 


228 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


I ever meet him, one of us shall make an end of 
the other. And for Sir Launcelot’s sake I have 
slain a hundred good knights, and many whom I 
have wounded have died in my prison; and yet I 
have in it three score and four; and all these shall 
be delivered, if thou tell me thy name, and thou 
art not Sir Launcelot.” 

‘'Now see I well,” said Sir Launcelot, “that if I 
were one man I might* have peace, and if I be 
another man there shall be mortal war between us ; 
but now, sir knight, at thy request, I will tell thee 
that I am Sir Launcelot du Lake, knight of the 
Round Table. And now I defy thee to do thy best.” 

“Ah,” said Sir Turquine, “Launcelot, thou art 
more welcome to me than ever was any knight be- 
fore, for we shall never part until one of us 
be dead.” Then they rushed together again as two 
wild bulls, feinting and thrusting with all their 
might, and fought for two hours and more, each 
giving the other many wounds, until the ground 
was all bepurpled with blood. 

At last Sir Turquine waxed very faint from loss 
of blood, and drew somewhat back, and bore his 
.shield full low for weariness. As soon as Sir 
Launcelot espied this, he leaped upon him fiercely 
as a lion, and caught him by the banner of his hel- 
met, and dragged him down upon his knees, and 
then tearing off his helmet he smote him on the 
neck with his sword and cut off his head. And 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE DAMSEL 


229 


when Sir Launcelot had done this, he went to the 
damsel and said to her, “Damsel, I am ready to go 
with you where you will have me, but I have no 
horse.” “Fair knight,” said the damsel, “take this 
wounded knight’s horse, and send you him into 
this manor, and command him to go and deliver 
all the prisoners.” 

And so Sir Launcelo-t went unto Sir Gaheris, and 
prayed him not to be grieved for to lend him his 
horse. “Nay, fair lord,” said Sir Gaheris, “I will 
that ye take my horse at your own command, for 
ye have saved both me and my horse, and this day 
I say that ye are the best knight in the world, for 
ye have slain the mightiest man and the best 
knight, except yourself, that ever I saw. And now 
I pray thee that thou tell me thy name.” 

“Sir, my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake; and I 
ought to help you for King Arthur’s sake, and also 
for my lord Sir Gawaine’s sake, your own dear 
brother. And when ye come within yonder 
manor, I am sure that you will find there many 
noble knights of the Round Table, for I have seen 
their shields hanging on yonder tree. Set them all 
free, and say to them that they shall abide there 
until I come, for by the high feast of Pentecost I 
think to be there, but at present I must ride with 
this damsel to keep my promise.” 

And so he departed from Sir Gaheris with his 
damsel. And Sir Gaheris went into the castle, and 


230 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

there he found a porter with many keys. So he 
threw the porter on the ground, and took the keys, 
and opened the prison, and let out all the prisoners, 
and loosed their bonds. And when they saw Sir 
Gaheris they all thanked him, for they thought be- 
cause he was wounded he had slain Sir Tur- 
quine. But Sir Gaheris said, ‘‘Not so, for it was 
Sir Launcelot that slew him ; and I saw it with my 
own eyes. And he sendeth greeting to you all, and 
prayeth you to hasten to the court; but as for Sir 
Lionel and Sir Ector, he prayeth you to abide him 
at the court.” “That shall we not do,” said his 
brethren, “for we will find Sir Launcelot, if we 
live.” “And so shall I,” said Sir Kay, “find him 
before I come to court, as I am a true knight.” 
Then all the knights sought the house where their 
armor was, and armed themselves, and each knight 
found his own horse, and all that belonged to them. 
And after supper some abode there all night, but 
Sir Lionel and Sir Ector and Sir Kay rode after 
Sir Launcelot to find him if they might. 

Now Sir Launcelot had departed with the dam- 
sel. And as they rode the damsel told him that on 
the road they were going there was a false knight 
who distresseth all ladies and gentlewomen, rob- 
bing them and insulting them. Then Launcelot 
said, “This is a great shame unto the order of 
knighthood and contrary to his oath. And now, 
fair damsel, ye shall ride alone before, and I will 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE DAMSEL 23 1 

keep myself in covert, and if he trouble or distress 
you, I will rescue you, and teach him to act like 
a knight.” So the damsel rode on her way with a 
soft ambling pace. And anon the knight came 
riding out of the wood and caught the damsel and 
drew her from her horse. With that came Sir 
Launcelot as fast as he could ride, and said to the 
knight, ‘‘Oh, thou false knight and traitor unto 
knighthood, who taught thee to distress ladies and 
gentlewomen?” 

When the knight saw Sir Launcelot thus rebuk- 
ing him, he answered not, but drew his sword and 
rode unto Sir Launcelot; and Sir Launcelot throw- 
ing his spear from him, drew out his sword, and 
struck him such a blow upon the helmet that he 
clave his head unto his throat. “Now hast thou the 
payment that thou hast long deserved,” said Sir 
Launcelot. “That is truth',” said the damsel, “for 
like as Turquine watched to destroy knights, so did 
this knight attend to distress ladies and gentle- 
women, and his name was Sir Piers du Forest 
Savag'e.” 

“Now, fair damsel,” said Sir Launcelot, “will ye 
have any more service of me?” “Nay, sir,” she 
said, “not at this time, but may Almighty God pre- 
serve you wherever you may go, for you are the 
most courteous knight and the meekest unto all 
ladies and gentlewomen that now liveth.” Then Sir 
Launcelot departed from the damsel and rode into 
the forest. 


CHAPTER III 


OTHER DEEDS OF SIR LAUNCELOT 

A fter parting from- the damsel, Sir Launcelot 
rode forth again and visited many strange 
and wild countries. As it chanced he came 
one day to a small house, wherein was an. old 
gentlewoman who lodged him with a good will and 
gave him a bed in her upper chamber. There 
Sir Launcelot* unarmed himself and set his harness 
by him, and soon fell asleep. As he lay asleep 
he was aroused by a sound of one riding hard, 
and presently there came a knocking at the door. 
So Sir Launcelot arose and looked out of the win- 
dow, and saw three knights riding after one man, 
who turned and defended himself against the three. 
Forthwith Sir Launcelot put on his armor quickly 
and let himself down from the window with a sheet, 
and then called aloud to them, “Turn, you knights, 
to me, and leave your fighting with that knight.” 

As soon as he said that, they all three left the 
knight and, alighting from their horses, rushed 
upon Sir Launcelot with their swords, and there 
232 


. OTHER DEEDS OF SIR LAUNCELOT 


began a great battle. The knight whom they 
chased was Sir Kay, and he would have helped Sir 
Launcelot. But Sir Launcelot, who knew him by 
the device on his shield, said, ‘'Nay, Sir Kay, I ask 
none of your help ; leave them to me.” So Sir Kay 
stood back, and soon Sir Launcelot had stricken 
them all to the earth. 

At this they cried out, “Sir knight, we yield to 
thee as a man of might.” ‘T will not have you 
yield to me,” answered Sir Launcelot, “but if you 
will yield to Sir Kay, the seneschal, I will spare 
your lives, but not otherwise.” “Fair knight,” 
they said, “that we are loth to do, for we should 
have overcome Sir Kay had you not been here; 
therefore to yield to him we have no reason.” “As 
to that,” said Sir Launcelot, “make your own 
choice, whether you live or die, but if you yield it 
must be to Sir Kay.” 

So, to save their lives, they did as he com- 
manded; and he made them swear to go to King 
Arthur’s court on the next Whitsunday, and put 
themselves at the grace and mercy of Queen 
Guinevere, saying that Sir Kay had sent them. 
Then Sir Launcelot suffered them to depart, and 
he and Sir Kay went into the lodging; and when 
they came to the light, Sir Kay saw who it was, 
and he knelt down and thanked Sir Launcelot for 
having twice saved his life. 

When Sir Kay was unarmed he asked for meat 


234 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


of which, being hungry, he ate heartily. Then he 
was lodged in the same chamber with Sir Launce- 
lot, and being very tired he slept very soundly. On 
the morrow Sir Launcelot rose early and left Sir 
Kay sleeping ; and he took Sir Kay’s armor and his 
shield and mounted his horse and rode away. Soon 
after Sir Kay awoke, and when he saw that Sir 
Launcelot had taken his armor and left him his 
own, he said, “Now by my faith, I know well that 
he will grieve some of King Arthur’s knights, for 
they will think that it is I, and they will be bold 
with him; and because of his armor and shield I 
shall ride in peace.” So he put on Sir Launcelot’s 
armor, and thanked his host and departed. 

Meanwhile Sir Launcelot rode on through the 
forest till he came to a fair open country full of 
rivers and green meadows. Before him he saw a 
long bridge, and on it three pavilions made of silk, 
with white shields hanging before them and great 
spears leaning beside them. Within each pavilion 
sat a knight ; but Sir Launcelot rode past and spoke 
not a word. Then the knights said one to another, 
“It is the proud Sir Kay; he thinketh no knight 
is as good as he, but the contrary is often proved.” 

Then one of the knights, who was named Sir 
Gaunter, said, “By my faith, I will ride after him 
and essay him for all his pride and you may see 
how I shall speed.” With that he armed himself 
and took his spear and shield and rode hard after 


OTHER DEEDS OF SIR LAUNCELOT 235 

Sir Laimcelot. When he came near him he called 
out, “Abide, thou proud knight, Sir Kay, for thou 
shalt not pass so quietly.” So Sir Launcelot 
turned and they rode together with all their might, 
and Sir Gaunter’s spear broke, but Sir Launcelot 
smote him down both horse and man. Then one 
of the other knights said, “Yonder knight is not 
Sir Kay; he is far mightier.” “I dare lay my 
head,” said the second knight, whose name was Sir 
Gilmere, “that he has slain Sir Kay, and hath taken 
his horse and harness.” “Whether it be so or not,” 
said Sir Reynold, the third knight, “let us go mount 
our horses and rescue our brother Sir Gaunter, 
though methinks we shall all have enough to do to 
match that knight.” 

So they rode to the place as hard as they could ; 
and first Sir Gilmere put forth his spear, and Sir 
Launcelot smote him down so that he lay in a 
swoon. Then came Sir Reynold, and he and Sir 
Launcelot broke their spears on each other, and 
then began a hard battle with their swords. The 
other knights recovered themselves a little and rose 
and came to help Sir Reynold. When Sir 
Launcelot saw that, he first smote Sir Reynold so 
sorely that he fell from the saddle, and then he 
served the other two in like manner. So the three 
knights had to yield; but they asked him to tell 
them his name, for they were sure that he was 
not Sir Kay. “Let that be as it may,” said Sir 


236 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

Lauiicelot, “I charge ye to come to King Arthur’s 
court on Whitsunday and yield yourselves to 
Queen Guinevere, and say that Sir Kay hath sent 
you.” This they swore to perform, and then 
Launcelot rode away from them. 

Sir Launcelot rode on until he came to a deep 
forest, and there he saw four knights of King 
Arthur’s court sitting on their horses under an oak 
tree. There were Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Sagra- 
mour le Desirous who was a good knight. Sir Ga- 
waine and Sir Ewaine. As Sir Launcelot passed, 
they thought by the device upon his shield that it 
was Sir Kay, and Sir Sagramour said he would 
prove Sir Kay’s might. Thereupon he took his 
spear and rode against Sir Launcelot, who met 
him and smote him to the ground, both horse and 
man. 

‘‘Lo, my fellows !” quoth Sir Ector, ‘^yonder you 
may see what a buffet he has got. That knight 
is much bigger than Sir Kay. Now we shall see 
what I may do with him.” With that he took his 
spear in his hand, and rode toward Sir Launcelot, 
who served him as he had done the other, and still 
his spear held. “By my faith,” said Ewaine, “that 
is a strong knight. I am sure he hath slain Sir 
Kay, and I see by his great strength it will be hard 
to match- him.” So in his turn he rode against Sir 
Launcelot, but fared no better than those who had 
gone before. 


OTHER DEEDS OF SIR LAUNCELOT 237 

‘‘Now,” said Gawaine, “I see that I must needs 
encounter with that knight.” So he took his spear 
in hand, and rode hard against Sir Launcelot, and 
each smote the other in the middle of the shield; 
but Gawaine’s spear broke, and Sir Launcelot’s 
thrust was so strong that Gawaine’s horse reared 
up and fell over him. Sir Launcelot passed on 
smiling and said, “Heaven give him joy that made 
this Spear, for I never held a better in my hand.” 

Then the four knights went each one to the 
other, and helped one another as they might. 
“What say ye to this knight,” said Sir Gawaine, 
“who with one spear hath felled us four?” “We 
commend him to the devil,” said the others, “for 
he is a man of great might.” “You may well say 
it,” quoth Gawaine, “for I dare lay my life that it is 
Sir Launcelot, for I know him by his riding. How- 
beit we shall know when we come to court.” 

Sir Launcelot rode on his way and encountered 
many strange adventures; and many maidens 
sought his love, but he would have none of them 
for the love he bore to Queen Guinevere. At last 
he came to a castle, and there he saw a falcon that 
was caught by its legs and hung to the bough of 
a large tree in peril of its life. And he was sorry 
for the falcon. Then came a lady out of the castle 
and said, “O Launcelot, as thou art the flower of 
all the knights of the world, help me to get my 
hawk, for if my hawk is lost my lord will slay me.” 


238 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


''What is thy lord’s name?” asked Launcelot. 
"Sir,” she answered, "his name is Sir Phelot, a 
knight of the King of Northgalis.” "Fair lady,” 
said Sir Launcelot, "since you know my name, and 
require me on my knighthood to help you, I will 
do what I may to get your hawk, though I am an 
ill climber.” So he alighted, tied his horse to a 
tree, and asked the lady to unarm him. When he 
was unarmed he put off all his clothes save his shirt 
and breeches, and then climbed the tree and re- 
covered the falcon, and tying it to a rotten branch 
he threw it down to the lady. 

Then suddenly the lady’s husband. Sir Phelot, 
came out of the castle all armed and said, "Now, 
Sir Launcelot, I have found thee as I would have 
thee.” "Ah, lady,” said Sir Launcelot, "why have 
you betrayed me?” "She has done as I com- 
manded,” answered Sir Phelot. "There is no es- 
cape for thee; thine hour hath come when thou 
must die.” "That were a shame,” said Sir Launce- 
lot, "that an armed knight should slay a naked man 
by treason.” 

Then Launcelot entreated him to let him have 
his sword, and then he would encounter him, even 
without his armor. But Sir Phelot answered, “I 
know thee too well for that; thou shalt get no 
weapon if I can prevent it.” "Alas,” said Sir 
Launcelot, "that ever knight should die weapon- 
less.” And therewith he looked about him, and 


OTHER DEEDS OF SIR LAUNCELOT 239 

saw over his head a great bough of the tree that 
was leafless. This he broke off by pure might, and 
suddenly sprang from the tree so that his horse 
stood between him and Sir Phelot. Then Sir 
Phelot came round the horse and struck at him, 
with intent to slay him; but Launcelot cunningly 
warded off the stroke with the bough, and then 
struck the knight so mightily on the head with it 
that he fell to the ground senseless. He took his 
sword out of Sir PheloPs hand and struck his head 
from his body. 

When the lady saw that her lord was dead she 
cried aloud, “Alas, why hast thou slain my hus- 
band ?’’ “I am not the cause of it,^’ said Sir 
Launcelot, “for with falsehood ye would have slain 
me with treason ; and now it is fallen on you both.” 
Then she swooned as though she would die. And 
Sir Launcelot got on his armor as fast as he could, 
for fear that more enemies might come from the 
knight’s castle, and mounted his horse and rode 
away, thanking God that he had escaped from that 
adventure. 

Still Sir Launcelot rode on through the woods 
and marshes and many other ways. And as he 
was riding through a valley, he saw a knight 
chasing a lady with a naked sword as if he would 
have slain her. As the lady saw Sir Launcelot she 
cried to him and prayed him to rescue her; at which 
Sir Launcelot spurred his horse and rode between 


240 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


them saying, ^‘Knight, fie for shame, why wilt thou 
slay this lady? Thou dost shame to thyself and all 
knights/' 

‘'What hast thou to do between me and my 
wife?” said the knight; ‘T will slay her over thy 
head.” “That shall ye not,” said Sir Launcelot, 
“for rather we will have ado together.” Then the 
knight said to Launcelot that the lady had be- 
trayed him ; but she replied that it was not so, and 
that Heaven being her witness the accusation was 
false. “But sir,” said the lady, “thou art the most 
worshipful knight in the world, I pray thee to save 
me, for whatsoever ye may say he will slay me, for 
he is without mercy.” 

Then the knight when he saw that Launcelot 
would protect her, said he would be ruled by what- 
ever Launcelot thought best. And as they rode 
Avith Launcelot on the one side and the lady on the 
other, anon the knight asked Sir Launcelot to look 
behind them, saying, “Yonder come men of arms 
riding after us.” As Sir Launcelot turned to look, 
thinking no treason, suddenly the knight struck off 
the lady's head with his sword. 

When Sir Launcelot saw this bloody deed, he 
called the knight traitor, and said, “Thou hast 
shamed me forever.” And then leaping from his 
horse he drew his sword and would have slain the 
knight. At this he fell flat to the earth and caught 
Sir Launcelot by the legs and cried for mercy. 


OTHER DEEDS OE SIR LAUNCELOT 24I 


‘'Fie on thee,” said Sir Launcelot, “thou shameful 
knight, thou mayest have- no mercy; therefore 
arise and fight with me.” “Nay,” said the knight, 
“I will not arise till ye grant me mercy.” 

Then said Sir Launcelot, “Now I will make thee 
this offer: I will unarm me to my shirt, and have 
nothing else upon me and my sword in my hand; 
and if you can slay me we will be quit forever.” 
“Nay,” said the knight whose name was Pedivere, 
“that I will never do.” When Sir Launcelot saw 
that the knight would not fight him, he com- 
manded that he take up the lady’s head and bear 
it upon his back, and never rest until he brought 
it tO' Queen Guinevere. So Pedivere departed 
with the dead body of the lady and the head, and 
found the queen with King Arthur at Winchester, 
and there he told all the truth about the matter. 

And the queen, shocked at the shameful deed, 
said, “Sir knight, this is a horrible deed and a shame- 
ful one, and a sore rebuke for Sir Launcelot; but 
this shall I give you in penance: Ye shall bear this 
body with you on horseback to the Pope of Rome, 
and of him receive your penance for your foul 
deeds ; and ye shall never rest one night on the way 
in any bed, unless the dead body shall lie with you.” 
So he made there an oath before the queen to do as 
she commanded and departed on his journey. And 
when he came to Rome, the Pope bade him to do 
penance for his wicked deed and then go again to 
16 


242 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Queen Guinevere; and the lady’s body was buried 
in Rome at the Pope’s command. And after many 
days of penance and great sorrow, Sir Pedivere be- 
came a holy man and spent his days in solitude as 
a hermit. 

After all these adventures, Sir Launcelot arrived 
at court two days before the feast of Pentecost; 
and King Arthur and all the court were passing 
glad at his coming. And all the knights that he 
had rescued from Sir Turquine came and gave him 
great honor and praise, and told King Arthur how 
Sir Launcelot had slain this mighty knight. And 
when Sir Gawaine, Sir Ewaine, Sir Sagramour, and 
Sir Hector de Marys saw Sir Launcelot in Sir Kay’s 
armor, then they well knew that it was he that 
smote them all down. with one spear; and ever and 
anon there was smiling and laughing among them 
over the adventure. Then Sir Kay told the king 
how Sir Launcelot had rescued him, and how he 
made the knights “yield to me and not to himself.” 
And there they were, all three, and confirmed it all. 
“And by my faith,” said Sir Kay, “because Sir 
Launcelot took my harness and left me his, I rode 
411 peace, and no man would have do with me.” 

And all the other valorous deeds were recounted 
to King Arthur ; so at that time Sir Launcelot had 
the greatest name of any knight in the world, and 
was the most honored both by high and low. 


CHAPTER IV 


SIR LAUNCELOT PUNISHES THE TREASON OF 
MALEAGANS 

I T befell in the month of May that Queen Guine- 
vere called to her several knights of the Round 
Table, and gave them warning that early upon 
the morrow she would ride a-maying into the woods 
and fields beside Westminster. “And I warn you,” 
she said, “that ye be all well horsed, and that ye all 
be clothed in green, either silk or cloth ; and I shall 
bring with me ten ladies, and every knight shall 
have a lady behind him, and every knight shall have 
a squire and two yeomen, and all shall be well 
horsed.” 

The names of the knights were Sir Kay, the 
seneschal. Sir Agravaine, Sir Brandiles, Sir Sagra- 
mour le Desirous, Sir Dodynas le Sauvage, Sir 
Ozanna, Sir Ladynas, Sir Persant of Ind, Sir 
Ironside and Sir Pelleas; and these ten knights 
made themselves ready, in the freshest manner, to 
ride with the queen. So upon the morrow they 
took their horses with the queen, and rode a-may- 

243 


244 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


ing through the woods and meadows, as it pleased 
them, with great joy and delight. 

Now there was a knight named Maleagans, son 
to King Bagdemagus, who loved Queen Guinevere 
passing well, and had done so full many a year. 
This knight, Sir Maleagans, learned the queen’s 
purpose and that she had no men at arms with her, 
but the ten noble knights all arrayed in green for 
maying. So he prepared him twenty men at arms 
and a hundred archers, to take captive the queen 
and her knights. 

So when the queen had mayed awhile, and all 
were bedecked with herbs, mosses and flowers, 
there came out of a wood Sir Maleagans with eight 
score men all armed, and bade the queen and her 
knights yield themselves prisoners. “Traitor 
knight,” said Queen Guinevere, ‘'what is this that 
thou wilt do? Wilt thou shame thyself? Bethink 
thee how thou art a king’s son, and a knight of the 
Round Table, and how thou art about to dishonor 
all knighthood and thyself?” “Be that as it may,” 
said Sir Maleagans, “Know you well, madam, I have 
loved you many a year, and never before could I 
get you to such an advantage as I do now; and 
therefore I will take you as I find you.” 

Then the ten knights of the Round Table drew 
their swords, and the other party ran at them with 
their spears; and the ten knights manfully abode 
them, and smote away their spears. Then they 










SIR LAUNCELOT PUNISHES SIR MALEAGANS 245 

lashed together with their swords till the knights 
of the Round Table had slain forty men, and several 
of themselves were smitten to the earth. So when 
the queen saw her knights thus sorely oppressed, 
and needs must be slain at the last, then for pity 
and sorrow she cried, ‘‘Sir Maleagans, slay not my 
noble knights, and I will go with thee upon this 
covenant, that they be led with me wheresoever 
thou leadest me.’’ “Madame,” said Sir Maleagans, 
“for your sake they shall be led with you into my 
own castle, if that ye will ride with me.” Then 
Sir Maleagans charged them all that none should 
depart from the queen, for he dreaded lest Sir 
Launcelot should have knowledge of what had been 3 
done. 

Then the queen privily called unto her a page of 
her chamber that was swiftly horsed, to whom she 
said, “Go thou when thou seest thy time, and bear 
this ring unto Sir Launcelot du Lake, and pray him, <? 
as he loves me, that he will come to me and rescue 
me. And spare not thy horse,” said the queen, 
“neither for water nor for land.” So the child 
espied his time, and lightly took his horse and de- 
parted as fast as he could ride. 

Then Sir Maleagans said to the queen, “Madam, 
ye are about to betray me, but I will arrange for 
Sir Launcelot that he shall not come lightly at you.” 
Then he rode with her and them all to his castle, 
and in all the haste that they might. And by the 


246 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


way Sir Maleagans laid in ambush the best archers 
that he had to wait for Sir Launcelot. The page 
the queen had sent soon came to Westminster, and 
found Sir Launcelot, and told him his message, and 
delivered him the queen’s ring. “Alas,” said Sir 
Launcelot, “now am I shamed forever, unless I may 
rescue that noble lady.” 

Then he called for his armor and put it on him, 
and mounted his horse and rode as fast as he might ; 
and men say he took the water at Westminster 
Bridge and made his horse swim over the Thames 
into Lambeth. Within a mile he came to a wood, 
where was a narrow way; and there, the archers 
were laid in ambush. And there they shot at him 
and smote his horse so that he fell. Then Sir 
Launcelot left his horse and went afoot, but there 
lay so many ditches and hedges betwixt the archers 
and himself that he might not meddle with them. 
“Alas! for shame,” said Sir Launcelot, “that ever 
one knight should betray another; but it is an old 
saying, 'a good man is never in danger but when 
he is in danger of a coward.’ ” 

Then Sir Launcelot went awhile on foot, but he 
was much cumbered by his armor, his shield and 
his Spear, and all that belonged to him. Then by 
chance there came by him a cart that had come 
hither to fetch wood. Now at this time carts were 
little used except to carry offal or convey crim- 
inals to execution. But Sir Launcelot took no 


SIR LAUNCELOT PUNISHES SIR MALEAGANS 247 

thought of anything but to hasten to the rescue 
of the queen; so he asked the carter to take him 
in his cart and bring him to the castle. “Thou 
shalt not come into^ my cart,” said the man, “for I 
am sent to fetch wood for my Lord Sir Maleagans.” 
At this Sir Launcelot leaped to him and gave him 
such a buffet that he fell to the, earth stark dead. 
Then the other carter was afraid and cried, “Fair 
lord, save my life and I will bring you where you 
will.” “Then I charge you,” said Sir Launcelot, 
“that you drive me quickly to Sir Maleagans’s 
gate.” So Sir Launcelot leaped into the cart, and 
the carter drove at a great gallop towards the castle 
of Sir Maleagans. 

Now it happened that Sir Gawaine was passing 
that way, and seeing an armed knight traveling in 
that unusual manner, he drew near to see whO' it 
might be. Then Sir Launcelot told him how the 
queen had been carried off, and how in hastening 
to her rescue his horse had been disabled and he 
had been forced to avail himself of the cart rather 
than give up the rescue of the queen. Sir Gawaine 
replied that it seemed unworthy of a knight to 
travel in such manner; but Sir Launcelot heeded 
him not. 

At nightfall they came to a castle, and the lady 
thereof came out at the head of her damsels to wel- 
come Sir Gawaine. But when she saw his com- 
panion she thought him to be a criminal and did 


248 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


not wish to let him in; but to please Sir Gawaine 
she consented to do so. At supper they were 
going to send Sir Launcelot to the kitchen to eat ; 
but at the request of Gawaine he v/as let to sit 
at the lady’s table. The damsels would not pre- 
pare a bed for him; so he seized the first one he 
could find and slept therein. 

On the morrow he saw from the turrets of the 
castle a train following a lady whom he thought to 
be the queen; and so thought Sir Gawaine, and 
they were eager to depart. The lady of the castle 
supplied Sir Launcelot with a horse, and they went 
on their way riding across the plain at full speed. 
Meeting some travelers, they learned from them 
that there were two roads that led to the castle; 
so the friends separated, each taking one of the 
roads. 

Sir Launcelot found his way beset with many 
obstacles all of which he overcame but not without 
much loss of time. As the evening came he was 
met by a young and sportive damsel, who proposed 
to him a supper at her castle. Sir Launcelot was 
hungry and weary and he went with the lady to her 
castle and sat down with her at supper. As they 
ate and drank the lady began to make love to 
Sir Launcelot, but his heart was true to Queen 
Guinevere and he would not accept her love. Then 
suddenly the scene changed and he was set upon by 
six ferocious ruffians whom he dealt with so vigor- 


SIR LAUNCELOT PUNISHES SIR MALEAGANS 249 

ously that they were soon disabled. Then the 
scene changed again and he found himself alone 
with his fair hostess who told him that she was none 
other than his guardian fairy who had given tests 
of his courage and fidelity. The next day the fairy 
brought him on his road and gave him a ring, 
which she said would by its changes of color dis- 
close to him all enchantments and give him power 
to subdue them. 

Then Sir Launcelot continued on his way, 
taunted now and then by the travelers whom he 
met, who all seemed to have learned of his disgrace- 
ful drive in the cart. At night he reached another 
castle where he was made welcome with much show 
of hospitality, but in the morning he found himself 
in a dungeon loaded with chains. Consulting his 
ring, and finding that this was an enchantment, he 
burst his chains, seized his armor, broke open the 
gates of the tower, and continued his journey. 

At length his progress was checked by a wide 
and rapid torrent, which could only be passed on a 
narrow bridge, on which a false step would lead to 
destruction. Leading his horse by the bridle and 
making him swim by his side, he passed over the 
bridge in safety. As soon as he reached the bank 
a lion and a leopard sprang to attack him; but he 
slew them both, and then, exhausted and bleeding, 
he threw himself upon the grass and endeavored 
to bind up his wounds. As he was thus engaged 


250 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


he was accosted by Bagdemagus, the father of 
Maleagans, whose castle was then in sight, and at 
no great distance. This king, no less courteous 
than his son was haughty and insolent, offered him 
his assistance and informed him that the queen was 
safe in his castle, but could only be recovered by a 
combat with Maleagans. 

Sir Launcelot rode on till he came to the gates 
of the castle, and then he alighted and cried, so 
that all the castle rang with it, “Where art thou, 
false traitor. Sir Maleagans and knight of the Table 
Round? Now come forth here, thou traitor knight, 
thou and thy fellowship with thee; for here I am. 
Sir Launcelot du Lake, that shall fight with you.’^ 
And therewith he forced the gate wide open on the 
porter and smote him under his ear with his gaunt- 
let that his neck burst asunder. 

When Sir Maleagans heard that Sir Launcelot 
was there, he ran unto Queen Guinevere, and fell 
upon his knees and said, “Mercy, madam; now I 
put me wholly in your grace.” At first the queen 
thought to advise Sir Launcelot to forgive him and 
especially so in order to avoid public scandal; but 
when afterward Sir Maleagans would make charge 
against the honor of the queen and Sir Launcelot, 
Sir Launcelot would not forgive him but said that 
he would fight him to prove the queen was guilt- 
less of the charge made against her. So the day 
was fixed and the field chosen beside West- 


SIR LAUNCELOT PUNISHES SIR MALEAGANS 25 1 

minster ; and they agreed that there should be no 
treason between them. Then they dined together, 
and after dinner Sir Maleagans asked Sir Launce- 
lot if he would like to see the secrets of his castle. 
“With a good will,” said Sir Launcelot, and so they 
went together from chamber to chamber. Sir 
Launcelot fearing no danger, for ever a man of 
worship and of prowess least dreads the perils of 
treason. But as he went with Sir Maleagans, he 
trod upon a trap, and the board rolled, and there- 
with Sir Launcelot fell down more than ten 
fathoms into a cave full of straw. Then Sir 
Maleagans departed and made no mention of where 
Sir Launcelot was. And when the queen and the 
knights missed Sir Launcelot they marveled what 
had become of him ; but supposed that he had de- 
parted and gone unto Westminster. And now the 
knights told King Arthur how Sir Maleagans had 
accused the queen of treason, and how Sir Launce- 
lot and Sir Maleagans were this day eight days to 
do battle before the king. 

During this time Sir Launcelot lay within the 
cave in great pain ; and every day there came a lady 
and brought him meat and drink and besought him 
for his love but all in vain. Then she said, “Sir 
Launcelot, you are not wise, for you may never 
leave this prison without my help, and then your 
lady Guinevere shall be burned in your default un- 
less you be there, at the day of battle.” 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


252 


‘'Heaven defend,” said Sir Laiincelot, “that she 
shall be burned at my default; but if it be so that I 
cannot be there, it will be well understood by both 
the king and the queen, and with all men of worship, 
that I am dead, or sick, or in prison; for all men 
that know me will say for me that I am in some 
evil case if I am not there ; and some one will take 
my quarrel in hand; and therefore know you well 
that you shall not frighten me. And if there were 
no more women in all this land, I would not say 
otherwise.” 

“Then thou art shamed,” said the lady, “and de- 
stroyed forever.” “As for the world’s shame,” said 
Sir Launcelot, “Jesu defend me; and as for my dis- 
tress, it is welcome, whatsoever it be that God 
sendeth me.” Then she left him. But on the day 
that the battle was to be, she came to him and said, 
“Sir Launcelot, methinketh you are too hard 
hearted, but if you would but kiss me I would 
deliver thee and give thee the best horse that is in 
Sir Maleagans’s stable.” “As for that,” said Sir 
Launcelot, “I may do that and lose no worship.” 
So he kissed her; and then she brought him to his 
armor, and when he was armed she took him to a 
stable where stood twelve good coursers, and told 
him to choose the best. He chose a white courser, 
and had him saddled, and mounted him with his 
sword by his side and his spear in his hand, and 
rode away, commending the lady unto God, saying, 


SIR LAUNCELOT PUNISHES SIR MALEAGANS 253 

'‘Lady, for this good deed I shall do you service 
if ever it be in my power.” 

Now while Sir Launcelot was thus delayed, they 
made ready a fire in which Queen Guinevere was to 
be burnt, for Sir Maleagans was sure Sir Launce- 
lot could not come to do him battle ; and he cried to 
King Arthur to do him justice or else bring forth 
Sir Launcelot. Then was the king and all the 
court sore abashed that the queen should be burnt 
in the default of Sir Launcelot. Then said Sir 
Lavaine, "My lord Arthur, I beseech you give me 
license to do battle here for my lord and master, 
and for to save my lady the queen.” 

"Thanks, gentle knight,” said King Arthur, "for 
I know that the accusation against the queen is 
false, and each one of the wounded knights could 
do battle to prove it false if he were able.” "So 
shall I,” said Sir Lavaine, "in defence of my lord 
Sir Launcelot if you will give me leave.” Then 
Arthur gave him leave, and he armed himself and 
rode into the list to do battle for the queen. And 
just as the heralds were to cry for the battle to 
begin. Sir Launcelot came riding with all the speed 
of his horse. At this King Arthur cried, "Ho ! 
and abide.” 

Then Sir Launcelot rode before the king and told 
him of all the treason of Sir Maleagans and how 
he had served him. And when the king and the 
queen and all the lords knew of the treason of Sir 


254 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Maleagans they were ashamed of him. And Sir 
Launcelot made ready for the fight, and as they 
rushed together Sir Launcelot bore Sir Maleagans 
down quite over his horse’s croup. Then they 
fought with jtheir swords; but soon Sir Launcelot 
gave Sir Maleagans such a buffet that he fell to the 
earth. At this Sir Maleagans cried for mercy; at 
which Sir Launcelot for a moment knew not what 
to do. So he looked at Queen Guinevere if he 
might espy by any sign what she would have him 
do ; and the queen nodded her head as if she would 
have Sir Maleagans slain. 

Then Sir Launcelot bade the fallen knight arise 
and perform the battle to the end. But Sir 
Maleagans said, ‘T will never arise until ye take me 
as yielding recreant.” ‘T offer you great odds,” 
said Sir Launcelot, “that is, I will unarm my head 
and the left quarter of my body, and bind my left 
hand behind me, and so do battle with you.” At 
this Sir Maleagans leaped to his feet and said to 
King Arthur that he would accept the offer. 
“What say you,” said the king to Sir Launcelot, 
“will ye abide by your offer?” “Yea,” said Sir 
Launcelot, “I will never recede from any offer I 
may make.” 

Then the knights disarmed Sir Launcelot, as he 
had said ; and many a lady and knight marveled 
that he would thus jeopard himself. When all was 
ready Sir Maleagans came forward with his sword 


SIR LAUNCELOT PUNISHES SIR MALEAGANS 255 


all on high, and Sir Launcelot showed him his bare 
head and his bare left side. And when Sir Malea- 
gans would have smitten him upon his bare head, 
Sir Launcelot put his sword quickly beneath the 
stroke and then with great force smote him such 
a buffet on the helmet that the stroke carved the 
head in two parts so that he fell dead upon the 
earth. Then they carried him from the field and 
the king suffered him to be buried and the mention 
made who slew him, and for what cause he was 
slain. And then the king and queen made more 
of Sir Launcelot and cherished him even more than 
ever before. 


CHAPTER V 


HOW SIR LAUNCELOT SAVED QUEEN GUINEVERE 

U PON a time Queen Guinevere became much 
displeased with Sir Launcelot without any 
good cause, and drove him from the court 
with many shameful words. So Sir Launcelot de- 
parted with a heavy heart and no one knew where 
he had gone except his friend Sir Bors. Meantime 
the queen made a banquet to certain knights of the 
Round Table and especially to Sir Gawaine. And 
the queen was very gay and seemed to show that 
she did not miss nor regret the absence of Sir 
Launcelot. 

Now Sir Gawaine was very fond of all manner of 
fruits, and in especial of apples and pears. The 
queen knowing this had provided many kinds of 
fruit for Sir Gawaine. Sir Gawaine had many 
enemies, especially one. Sir Pinel, who hated him 
exceedingly ; and he secretly put poison in some of 
the apples in hopes to poison Sir Gawaine. But it 
chanced that a good knight named Patrise, cousin 
to Sir Mador de la Porte, took a poisoned apple; 
256 


HOW LAUNCELOT SAVED GUINEVERE 257 

and when he had eaten it he swelled so that he 
nearly burst, and fell down dead among them. 
Then every knight leaped up from the board, so 
full of wrath that they were nigh out of their wits. 
And they knew not what to say; for since Queen 
Guinevere had made the feast, they all had sus- 
picion of her. 

Then Sir Gawaine said to the queen, “My lady, 
know you well this dinner was made for me, seeing 
that all do know that I love fruit so well ; and I see 
that I had well nigh been slain ; therefore, madam, 
I dread lest ye will be shamed.” At this the queen 
stood silent and sore abashed, not knowing what 
to say. But Sir Mador said, “This shall not be so 
ended, for I have here lost a noble knight of my 
blood; and therefore upon this shame and despite 
I will be revenged to the utmost.” And there 
openly Sir Mador charged the queen with the death 
of his cousin Sir Patrise. 

At this they all stood still not knowing what to 
say ; for they had great suspicion of the queen. And 
the queen was so abashed that she could do 
nothing but weep, and at last she fell down in a 
swoon. With the noise and cry thus raised, King 
Arthur came to them; and when he learned what 
had come to pass he was deeply troubled; for Sir 
Mador stood before the king and charged the 
queen with treason. Then King Arthur said, 
“Fair lords, I regret of all this trouble, but I must 
17 


258 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

be a rightful judge; and though I regret that I may 
not do battle for my wife; I am sure she is not to 
blame, and I trust that some good knight will do 
battle for her, and that she may not be burnt when 
she is innocent. Therefore, Sir Mador, be not so 
hasty, for it may happen that she shall not be all 
friendless, but that some good knight will answer 
for her, or else it were a great shame to me and all 
my court.'^ 

'‘My gracious lord,’’ said Sir Mador, “though you 
are a king, you are but a knight like ourselves, 
and therefore I beseech you not to be displeased. 
For there is none of the four and twenty knights 
that were bidden to the dinner but all have great 
suspicion of the queen. What say ye all, my lords?” 
said Sir Mador. Then they all answered that they 
could not excuse the queen, for she had made the 
dinner, and either it must come by her or by her 
servants. 

“Alas,” said the queen, “I made this dinner for a 
good intent, and never for any evil; and I appeal 
to Almighty God that I never proposed this evil 
deed.” To this Sir Mador said, “My lord, the 
king, I pray you as ye be a righteous king, to give 
me a day that I may have justice.” Then the king, 
constrained by the law, said to him that fifteen days 
hence he should be ready armed on horseback in 
the meadow beside Westminster. And if it so hap- 
pen that there be any knight to encounter with him, 


HOW LAUNCELOT SAVED GUINEVERE 259 

he might do his best, and God speed the right. 
And if it should happen that there be no knight to 
meet him on that day, then the queen must be 
burnt. At this Sir Mador was content and all the 
knights took their departure. 

Then the king as soon as they were alone in- 
quired of the queen how the matter had comie about; 
to which the queen answered, “So Heaven help 
me, I know not how nor in what manner.” “Where 
is Sir Launcelot?” said the king; “if he were here 
he would not grudge to do battle for you.” “Alas,” 
said the queen, “I know not where he is; but his 
brother and kinsmen say he is not in this realm.” 
“For that I am sorry,” said the king, “for none of 
these knights will do battle for you, and if Sir 
Launcelot were here he would soon stop this strife. 
But since he is away I counsel you to ask Sir Bors 
to do battle for you and for Sir Launcelot’s sake.” 

So the queen sent for Sir Bors, and besought him 
for his aid. But he said, “I may not with worship 
have ado in this matter, for I was at the same din- 
ner, and the knights will hold me under suspicion. 
And now, alas ! you have driven away Sir Launcelot, 
for he would not have failed you in right or wrong. 
And I marvel how you dare for shame require me 
to do anything for you, inasmuch as ye have 
chased him from your country, him whom we all 
honor and worship.” “Alas, fair knight,” said the 
queen, “if you will not aid me I shall die a shame- 


26 o 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


fill death and I have not deserved it.’^ And there- 
with she fell down on her knees before him and be- 
sought Sir Bors to have mercy upon her, and save 
her from a shameful death. And King Arthur 
came and found the queen kneeling before Sir Bors. 
Then Sir Bors lifted her to her feet and said, 
“Madam, ye do great dishonor thus to kneel be- 
fore me.’' “Ah, gentle knight,” said the king, 
“have mercy upon my queen for I am certain that 
she is innocent of the crime; and I pray you that 
you do battle for her, for the love of Sir Launcelot.” 

“My lord,” said Sir Bors, “you require of me the 
greatest thing that any man can require; for if I 
do battle for the queen I shall incur the wrath of 
many of my comrades of the Table Round ; but yet 
I will do as you bid me for Sir Launcelot’s sake and 
for your sake. I will be the queen’s champion on 
that day unless there come by chance a better 
knight to do battle for her.” 

Then were the king and queen passing glad and 
thanked him heartily. And straightway Sir Bors 
departed secretly and rode unto Sir Launcelot, 
where he was with the hermit Sir Brasias, and told 
him all that had happened. And when Sir Launce- 
lot heard it he said, “This is come happily as I 
would have it. And therefore, I pray you, make 
ready to do battle, but look that ye tarry till you 
see me come, as long as ye may. For I am sure Sir 
Mador is a hot knight and the more you suffer 


HOW LAUNCELOT SAVED GUINEVERE 261 


him, the hastier will he be to do battle.” “Sir,” 
said Sir Bors, “let me deal with him, and do not 
doubt but you will have your will.” 

Then Sir Bors departed, and came to the court 
again. Now it was noised in all the court that Sir 
Bors would do battle, for the queen; wherefore 
many knights were displeased with him that he 
should take upon him to do battle in the queen’s 
quarrel, for there were few knights in the court who 
did not believe the queen to be guilty. So Sir Bors 
said to his fellows of the Table Round, “Know ye 
well, my fair lords, that it were a shame to us all if 
we suffered the most noble queen of the world to 
be shamed openly, considering that her lord and 
our lord is the man of the most worship in the 
world.” 

To this many of them replied, “As for our most 
noble King Arthur, we love him and honor him as 
well as you do; but as for Queen Guinevere, we 
love her not, because she is the destroyer of good 
knights.” But Sir Bors stood up for the queen 
saying that she had always been a friend of good 
knights and that he was sure that the queen was 
not guilty of Sir Patrise’s death as she never owed 
him any ill will, all of which he believed would be 
proved hereafter. And some of the knights were 
pleased with his words ; but others were not pleased. 

And now the day came on that the battle should 
take place. Then the queen sent for Sir Bors and 


262 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


asked him how he was disposed, to which he replied 
that he should do as he had promised ; but if a better 
knight came to do battle for her he would be dis- 
charged of his promise. Then they began to 
assemble in the meadow beside Westminster where 
the battle was to take place. And anon came 
King Arthur and the queen and the knights of the 
Table Round. Then the queen was placed in charge 
of the constable, and an iron stake was driven 
into the ground and a great fire was made about it 
so that if Sir Mador won the battle she should be 
burnt, — as was the custom of those days. And 
then Sir Mador came and took his oath before the 
king that the queen had done this treason to his 
cousin, and that he would prove it with his body, 
hand for hand. Right so came Sir Bors who said 
that he would maintain that Queen Guinevere was 
free from treason and that he would prove it with 
his hands. 

“Then make thee ready,” said Sir Mador, “and 
we shall soon prove whether thou or I be in the 
right.” “Sir,” said Sir Bors, “though I know you 
for a good knight, I have no doubt that I can with- 
stand you; but I have only promised to do battle 
for the queen if there come not a better knight than 
I am and discharge me.” “Then must thou either 
meet me forthwith,”said Sir Mador angrily, “or 
say nay and withdraw.” “Take your horse,” said 
Sir Bors, “and you shall not have long to wait.” 


HOW LAUNCELOT SAVED GUINEVERE 263 

Then both of them went to their tents, and made 
themselves ready; but Sir Bors delayed as long as 
he could, till Sir Mador rode about the field crying 
to the queen, ‘‘Bid your champion come forth if he 
dare.” Then was Sir Bors ashamed, and he took 
his horse and rode into the lists. Now as he raised 
his eyes he saw a knight coming from a wood all 
armed, upon a white horse, with a shield of strange 
device ; and he came riding as fast as he could ride. 
And so he came to Sir Bors and requested him that 
he should take the battle in his place. At this Sir 
Bors rode unto King Arthur and told him that a 
strange knight had come that would have the battle 
for the queen. “What knight is he?” said the king. 
“I know not,” said Sir Bors, “but such a covenant 
he made with me to be here this day.” 

Then the king called to the knight and asked him 
if he would fight for the queen ; at which he an- 
swered that for that intent he came hither, “And I 
would that it may begin at once,” he said, “for as 
soon as I have finished the battle I must depart 
hence, for I have many matters elsewhere. And 
know you well,” said the knight, “that it is a great 
dishonor to all you knights of the Round Table, to 
see so noble a lady, and so courteous a queen as 
Queen Guinevere, to be thus shamed and rebuked 
among you.” 

Then they all marveled what knight it might be 
that so took the battle upon him, for there was not 


264 the story of king ARTHUR 

one who knew him unless it was Sir Bors. Then 
this knight and Sir Mador rode to the lists’ end, 
and there couched their spears, and ran together 
with all their might. And Sir Mador’s spear broke 
all to pieces; but the other’s spear held, and bore 
Sir Mador’s horse backward to the earth in a great 
fall. But quickly avoiding his horse Sir Mador 
drew his sword and rushed upon the other knight 
who leaped from his horse and met him with his 
sword and shield. Thus they fought for an hour 
or more, giving each other many great strokes with 
their swords. But at last the strange knight smote 
Sir Mador to the earth; but as the knight stepped 
near to pull Sir Mador flat upon the ground, 
quickly Sir Mador arose and smote the knight 
through the thick of the thigh so that the blood ran 
freely forth. 

Now when the strange knight felt himself thus 
wounded and saw the blood flow forth, he was much 
angered; and he raised himself upon his feet and 
gave Sir Mador such a buffet on his helm that he 
fell flat upon the earth. Then Sir Mador prayed 
the knight to save his life, and so yielded himself 
as overcome, and released the queen of his quarrel. 
‘T will grant thy life,” said the strange knight, 
‘‘only on condition that thou release the queen for- 
ever, and that no mention be made upon the tomb 
of Sir Patrise that ever Queen Guinevere consented 
to that treason.” “All this shall be done,” said 


HOW LAUNCELOT SAVED GUINEVERE 265 

Sir Mador, ‘‘I clearly discharge my quarrel for- 
ever.” 

Then the knights took up Sir Mador and led him 
to his tent, and the other knight went straight to 
the foot of the stair where sat King Arthur; and 
by that time the queen had come to the king, and 
each had kissed the other for joy. And when the 
king saw that knight at the foot of the stair he 
stooped down and thanked him as did likewise the 
queen. The king prayed him to put off his helmet 
and rest himself and take a cup of wine ; and when 
he took off his helm to drink, then every one knew 
that it was Sir Launcelot. And when the king 
knew it, he took the queen by the hand and went 
unto Sir Launcelot and said, “Sir, I give you thanks 
for the great labor you have had this day for me 
and my queen.” 

To this Sir Launcelot replied, “My lord, know 
you well I ought of right ever to be in your quarrel, 
and in my lady the queen’s quarrel to do battle, for 
ye are the man that gave me the honor of knight- 
hood, and the queen did me great worship by find- 
ing my sword which through hastiness I had lost 
and gave it to me when I had need of it, and thus 
saved me from shame among all the knights. And 
therefore I promised her at that day ever to be her 
knight in right or in wrong.” 

As he thus spoke the queen beheld Sir Launce- 
lot and wept so tenderly that she sank almost to 


266 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


the ground for sorrow that he had done her so great 
a kindness when she had shown so great unkind- 
ness to him. And all the knights of the Table 
Round came to him and welcomed him, and great 
joy was made in all the court. 

And some days after, the Lady of the Lake 
whose name was Viviane came to the court. She 
loved King Arthur and was ever doing some good- 
ness to him by her sorcery and enchantments. And 
when she heard how Queen Guinevere had been 
accused of the death of Sir Patrise, she told it 
openly that the queen was not guilty, but that it 
was Sir Pinel who put poison into the apples with 
the intent to destroy Sir Gawaine because he had 
slain Sir Lamorack who was cousin to Sir Pinel. 
So the queen was excused, and Sir Pinel fled into 
his own country. 

Then they buried Sir Patrise in the church at 
Westminster in a tomb, and upon the tomb was 
written, “Here lieth Sir Patrise of Ireland who was 
slain by Sir Pinel le Savage who poisoned apples 
to have slain Sir Gawaine.’’ And it also was written 
on the tomb that Queen Guinevere was accused of 
the treason by Sir Mador, and how Sir Launcelot 
fought with him for the queen and overcame him in 
battle. And afterward Sir Mador sued daily and 
long for the queen’s good grace ; and in time by the 
means of Sir Launcelot he stood again in the 
queen’s favor and all was forgiven. 


CHAPTER VI 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND ELAINE OF ASTOLAT 

S OON after this King Arthur proclaimed a 
great tournament to be held at Camelot, 
which is now Winchester. To this tourna- 
ment there came many kings from divers countries 
and with them many brave and noble knights. As 
the day came near, King Arthur set off for the festi- 
val with many of the knights of the Round Table, 
and rode that day as far as Astolat, that now in 
English is called Gilford. 

Sir Launcelot would not ride with the king but 
remained behind with the intent to attend the 
tournament in disguise. So, after the king had 
gone, he mounted his horse and set off with no 
attendants, disguised to counterfeit an old knight 
who was going to be a spectator of the tourna- 
ment ; and by eventide he reached the town of Asto- 
lat. So complete was the disguise that none of the 
knights of the Round Table knew him; but by 
chance King Arthur espied him as he rode into the 
town and knew him. “It is well,” said King 
Arthur to the knights that were with him, “for I 

267 


268 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


have now espied a knight that will play his part at 
the tournament and do marvels.” And when the 
knights would know who it was, he said, “I will 
not tell you at this time.” And so the king smiled 
and went to his lodging. 

Sir Launcelot rode to a castle of an old baron 
known as Sir Bernard of Astolat. The old baron 
knew not Sir Launcelot but made his reverence to 
him and gave him right good welcome. Then Sir 
Launcelot asked the old baron to lend him a shield 
that was not openly known, saying that his own 
was too well known, and he desired to enter the 
tournament secretly. The baron said he should 
have his desire, for he seemed to him one of the 
likeliest knights he had ever seen. He told him 
that he had two sons, the youngest one named Sir 
Lavaine, and that he might have the shield of the 
elder son if he would permit the younger son to 
ride with him to the tournament, to which Sir 
Launcelot consented. He then asked Sir Launce- 
lot to tell him his name, but Sir Launcelot asked 
to be excused at this time, saying that after the 
tournament he would return and tell him. 

Now the old baron had a daughter that was 
called the Fair Maid of Astolat. She was passing 
beautiful and full of grace in all her motions, and 
her name was Elaine le Blanc. When she saw Sir 
Launcelot her heart was full of love for him, and 
she asked him that he would wear a token from her 










SIR LAUNCELOT AND ELAINE OF ASTOLAT 269 

at the tournament. Now Sir Launcelot had never 
worn a token for any lady or damsel, but; charmed 
with her simple beauty and remembering that he 
was to be disguised so that no one would know him, 
he consented, saying, “Fair maiden, I will grant 
you to wear your token upon my helmet ; but tell 
me what it is.” “Sir,” she said, “it is a red sleeve of 
mine richly embroidered with pearls.” And so she 
brought it to him; and Sir Launcelot took the 
sleeve from her hand, saying, “Never did I before 
so much for any damsel.” Then Sir Launcelot 
gave his own shield unto the damsel, and prayed 
her to keep it until he came again. 

On the morrow King Arthur and his knights de- 
parted; and when they were gone. Sir Launcelot 
and Sir Lavaine made themselves ready, each bear- 
ing white shields, and Sir Launcelot carrying with 
him the red sleeve upon his helm ; and so they rode 
till they came to Camelot. And there was a great 
press of kings, dukes, earls, and barons, and many 
noble knights who had come to attend the tourna- 
ment. And when the day of the tournament was 
come, the trumpets blew to call the people unto the 
field and King Arthur was set on high upon a 
scaffold to behold who did best. 

Now there was a division of the kings and 
knights into two parties, the stronger party for 
King Arthur, and the weaker party against him. 
And all the knights made, ready for the fray re- 


2yo 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


solved to win great honor at the tournament. Then 
Sir Launcelot also made ready, bearing the red 
sleeve upon his helmet; and he and Sir Lavaine 
rode out of the city privily and placed themselves in 
a little wood behind the party that held themselves 
against King Arthur’s party. And now the jousts 
began, and King Arthur’s party was too strong for 
the others, and smote down luaiiy of them to the 
earth. When Sir Launcelot saw this, he and Sir 
Lavaine rode forward out of the wood; and they 
smote down many brave and noble knights of 
King Arthur’s; so much so that the knights of the 
Round Table drew back from the fight. 

As King Arthur and Sir Gawaine saw this. Sir 
Gawaine said, ‘T wonder what knight that is that 
does such wondrous deeds of arms upon the field.” 
‘T think I know who he is,” said King Arthur, “but 
I will not name him now.” “I would say that he 
is Sir Launcelot,” said Sir Gawaine, “by his riding 
and his buffets; but he weareth a red sleeve upon 
his head, and I have never seen Sir Launcelot have 
any token of lady or gentlewoman at a tourna- 
ment.” “Let him be,” said King Arthur, “he will 
be better known before he departs.” 

And now Sir Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel 
rushed upon Sir Launcelot, and all three smote him 
with their spears and bore his horse to the earth. 
And Sir Bors smote him through the shield into his 
side, and the head of the spear was left in Sir 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND ELAINE OF ASTOLAT 2^1 

Launcelot’s side. Then Sir Lavaine rushed upon 
the king of the Scots and smote him to the earth 
and took his horse and brought it to Sir Launce- 
lot, and placed him thereon. And then Sir Launce- 
lot, though he felt himself so sorely hurt that he 
thought he might not endure, rushed upon Sir 
Bors, Sir Ector, and Sir Lionel, and smote them all 
to the earth, and might have killed them had he not 
seen their faces as their helms were raised from their 
heads. And then he rode into the thickest of the 
press andfought so fiercely that hedid the mostmar- 
velous deeds of arms that ever man saw or heard of. 

So when the fight was over the prize was' given 
to the knight with the white shield that bore the 
red sleeve. Then all the knights of the party came 
forward and did him great honor; but Launcelot 
said, 'T pray you let me depart in haste, for I am 
sore hurt;” and therewith he groaned piteously and 
rode away quickly to the woodside; and when he 
was sure that he would not be seen, he cried to 
Lavaine that he should help him to draw the spear 
head from his side. And as Sir Lavaine drew it 
forth, Sir Launcelot gave a great groan, and the 
blood burst forth, so that at length he sank down 
and became deathly pale and swooned away. And 
when he came to himself again. Sir Lavaine helped 
him to mount, and they rode till they came to a 
hermitage, where they staunched his blood and 
gave him wine to refresh him. 


2^2 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Then King Arthur called all the knights of both 
parties together to a great feast. And he inquired 
of the party who had fought against him for the 
knight with the red sleeve who had done such noble 
deeds, that he might award him the prize for his 
valor. At this they told him that the knight was 
sorely hurt and had ridden away as soon as the 
tournament was done. Then the king asked who 
the knight was; but no one could tell him who he 
was. And the king said, “Alas, these are to me the 
worst tidings that came to me this seven year, for 
I would not for all the lands I hold, that this noble 
knight were slain.” And Sir Gawaine said, “It 
were a pity to this land if this noble knight should 
die, for he is one of the noblest knights that ever I 
saw in a field handle a spear or a sword.” Then Sir 
Gawaine took a squire and rode all about Camelot 
within six or seven miles; but he could hear no 
word of the strange knight. 

Now within two days King Arthur and his 
knights started to return to London. And when 
they reached Astolat, it chanced that Sir Gawaine 
was lodged with Sir Bernard where Sir Launcelot 
had lodged on his way to Camelot. And Sir Ber- 
nard and his daughter, the fair Elaine, came to him 
and asked him who did best at the tournament; to 
which Gawaine replied that a knight with a white 
shield and a red sleeve did the best, having smitten 
down forty knights of the Table Round, and that 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND ELAINE OF ASTOLAT 273 

a young knight with him with a white shield had 
also done passing well. 

As the fair maid of Astolat heard this she said, 
'‘Now am I very happy that that knight hath done 
so well, for he is the man in the world that I first 
loved, and truly shall be the last that I shall ever 
love.’’ Then Sir Gawaine asked her who he was, but 
she said she did not know his name; but that he 
lodged with her father on his way to the tournament 
and left his shield which he said was too well known 
among noble knights, and had taken the shield of 
her brother. Then Sir Gawaine asked to see the 
shield ; and when it was brought to. him he saw that 
it was Sir Launcelot’s shield. 

Then Sir Gawaine said, “Ah, fair damsel, if in- 
deed you love that man, you love the most honor- 
able man in the world, and the man of the most 
worship. And truly you have cause to love him,’’ 
he said, “for I have known that knight for four and 
twenty years, and never have I known before that 
he ever bore a token or sign of any lady or gentle- 
woman or maiden at any joust or tournament. 
And therefore, fair maiden, ye are much beholden 
to him to give him thanks.” And then she in- 
quired where he had gone, and Sir Gawaine told 
her that he was sorely wounded and had gone 
somewhere to be attended for his hurt. At this 
the maiden’s heart was full of sorrow, and she said 
to her father that she must go to seek him and care 
18 


274 'the story of king Arthur 

for him; to which her father gave consent. So 
she made ready and rode away in search of Sir 
Launcelot. 

Meanwhile Sir Gawaine sought King Arthur and 
told him what he knew, that the knight with a 
white shield was Sir Launcelot. “All that I knew 
beforehand,” said the king; “for I espied him when 
he came to his lodgings late in the evening at Asto- 
lat; and for that reason 1 would not suffer you to 
join in the jousting. But I marvel,” said the king, 
“that he should have borne the sign or token of any 
damsel, for I never knew or heard say that he ever 
bore the token of any earthly woman.” “And I 
marvel also,” said Sir Gawaine, “for she loveth him 
with all her heart, and she hath ridden out to seek 
him.” So the king and all came to London, and 
there Sir Gawaine disclosed to all the court that it 
was Sir Launcelot that jousted best. And when 
the queen heard of it, she was well nigh out of her 
mind, both because Sir Launcelot was wounded 
and that he had worn the token on his helm. 

As the fair Elaine came to Winchester seeking 
for her wounded knight, by chance she met Sir La- 
vaine who was riding out to exercise his horse ; and 
when she saw him she called him and bade him to 
take her to where Sir Launcelot was. And when 
she came to him and saw him so pale and weak on 
his bed, she could not speak, but suddenly fell to 
the earth in a swoon. And when she was relieved 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND ELAINE OF ASTOLAT 275 

she said, lord, Sir Launcelot, alas ! that you 
are in this sad plight,” — and she swooned again. 
Then Sir Launcelot prayed Sir Lavaine to take her 
up and bring her to him; and when she came to 
herself Sir Launcelot kissed her, and said, “Fair 
maiden, be of good cheer, and come and comfort 
me ; and of this little hurt I have I shall soon be 
whole by the grace of God. But I marvel that ye 
know my name.” 

Then she told him how Sir Gawaine had lodged 
with her father and there by his shield discovered 
his name. “Alas,” said Sir Launcelot, “that my 
name is known, for I am sure that it will cause 
sorrow and anger;” for he knew that Sir Gawaine 
would tell Sir Bors and Queen Guinevere, and also 
what would be in their hearts when they heard of 
it. And there the maiden stayed and never left 
him day or night, but watched him and did such 
attendance that never was woman more kindly 
to a man than she. And there Sir Bors found him 
and made great lament that he had hurt “the 
noblest knight of the world.” But Sir Launcelot 
said that the fault was his own since out of pride 
he had tried to meet three noble knights at once. 
And Sir Bors saw all the loving care of fair Elaine, 
and that she was passing beautiful, and he said to 
Sir Launcelot, “Would, fair cousin, that you could 
love her and take her for your wife.” But Sir 
Launcelot said, “Ye know that I shall never wed 


276 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

any maiden, though this one is full worthy of my 
love.” And then they talked of many more things ; 
and still the fair Elaine nursed him with tender care 
night and day. And so within a month Sir 
Launcelot was well and strong again. 

And now Sir Launcelot hearing that there was 
to be another tournament at Winchester, resolved 
to enter it. So he sent Elaine into the woods to 
gather herbs and then armed himself and mounted 
his horse to ride away. But the motion of his 
horse caused his wounds to reopen, and faint from 
loss of blood he fell to the ground and lay there as 
if dead. Now by chance the maiden Elaine came 
thither and when she saw Sir Launcelot she 
thought him dead and wept as if her heart would 
break. And she took him in her arms and kissed 
him and did whatever she might to awake him, 
calling Sir Bors and her brother traitors that they 
should let him leave his bed. Then his friends. Sir 
Bors and Sir Lavaine, who had ridden away with 
him, took him up and bore him back to the castle 
and there the fair Elaine nursed him again until he 
was entirely well. 

Now when he was ready to depart, he saw that 
the fair Elaine was very sad, and he guessed that 
she would have him for her husband. So he 
thanked her for all her sweet ministering to him, 
but said that he would never be a wedded man so 
long as he should live; but that if she were ever 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND ELAINE OF ASTOLAT 277 

wedded he would give a great present to her and 
her heirs. But so deep was her love for Sir 
Launcelot that when he rode away she fell to the 
earth in a swoon, — and her women took her up 
and carried her to her chamber. And when she 
came to herself she would not be comforted, but 
made such sorrow day and night that she never 
slept nor eat nor drank, but ever made complaint 
of Sir Launcelot. At the end of ten days she was 
so weak that they saw that she would die ; so they 
sent for a holy man who shrived her and gave her 
the sacred rites. Then she prayed saying, “Sweet 
Lord Jesu, I take thee to record that I have been 
no great offender against thy laws, but that I loved 
this noble knight so out of measure that I cannot 
live without his love.” 

Then she called her father and her brother, and 
she prayed that her brother might write a letter 
for her, and that this letter might be placed in her 
hands as she died and then that she be put in a 
fair bed with all her richest clothes and the bed be 
carried to the Thames and put in a barge and a 
man with her such as might be trusted to steer the 
barge down the river and that the barge might be 
covered with black samite, over and over. “Let 
this be done, I pray thee,” she said to her father, 
which he duly promised should be done; and then 
she folded her hands upon her bosom and died. 
And when she was dead, the corpse and the bed 


278 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

were taken the next day unto the Thames, and 
placed in a barge, and a man put in charge of it, 
who steered it down the river to Winchester. 

Now it chanced that King Arthur and Queen 
Guinevere were sitting at a window of their palace 
talking together; and as they looked toward the 
Thames they espied this black barge floating down 
the river and had great marvel what it meant. 
Then the king called three knights and sent them 
to the river ; and there they found the fairest corpse 
lying in a rich bed, and a poor man sitting at the 
end of the barge who would not speak a word. So 
the knights returned to the king, and told him what 
they had found. ‘That fair corpse will I see,” said 
the king; so he took the queen by the hand and 
went thither ; and there they saw the fairest woman 
lying in a rich bed, covered to her waist with thick 
clothes, all of cloth and gold; and she lay as 
though she were sleeping with a smile upon her 
face. Then the queen espied the letter in her hand, 
and the king took it and said, ‘T am sure this letter 
will tell who she is and why she has come hither.” 

Then the king took the letter to his chamber and 
broke the seal and called a clerk to read it ; and this 
was written in the letter: — “Most noble knight. Sir 
Launcelot ; now hath death made us two at debate 
for your love. I was your lover, I whom men 
called the Fair Maid of Astolat; therefore unto all 
ladies I make my moan, and I beg you to pray for 


SIR LAUNCELOT AND ELAINE OF ASTOLAT 279 

my soul, and to bury me, at the least, and offer my 
mass-penny. This is my last request. God is my 
witness that I die a pure maiden. Pray for my 
soul, Sir Launcelot, as thou art peerless.” 

This was all the letter; and when it was read the 
king and the queen and all the knights wept for 
pity at the doleful complaint. And when Sir 
Launcelot heard the letter read, he said ‘‘My lord 
Arthur, know you well I am right heavy at the 
death of this fair damsel. But Heaven knows I was 
never the cause of her death by my own willing; 
but I would say that she was both fair and good, 
though she loved me with a love I could not re- 
turn.” “Ye might have showed her,” said the 
queen, “some act of gentleness that might have 
saved her life.” To which Sir Launcelot replied, 
“Madam, she would have nothing but my love, and 
love cannot be constrained. It must arise out of 
the heart and not by any restraint.” 

“That is true,” said the king, “love is free and 
will not be bound; for where it is bound it loseth 
itself.” Then the king said to Sir Launcelot, that 
he should oversee her burial and that she be in- 
terred worshipfully, to which Sir Launcelot agreed. 
And so upon the morrow she was interred richly 
and with all due honor; and Sir Launcelot offered 
her mass-penny, and all the knights of the Table 
Round who were there did the same. 


CHAPTER VII 


HOW. SIR LAUNCELOT WEDS KING PELLES’S 
DAUGHTER BY ENCHANTMENT 

U PON a certain feast of Whitsuntide, Sir 
Launcelot left King Arthur’s court to ride 
in search of adventures. After many days 
he came to the bridge Corbon and having passed 
it he rode on to the land of King Pelles. And 
there he saw the fairest tower that ever he saw ; and 
in the city about it was a town full of people, and all 
the people when they saw him cried at once, ‘‘Wel- 
come, Sir Launcelot du Lake, the flower of all 
knighthood, for by thee we shall be helped out of 
danger.” 

“What mean ye,” said Sir Launcelot, “that ye 
cry so upon me?” “Ah, fair knight,” they an- 
swered, “here is within this tower a dolorous lady 
that hath been here in sorrow many winters ; for she 
ever boileth in scalding water and no one can save 
/ her. And but of late Sir Gawaine was here, and he 
^ could not help her and so left her in her pain.” 
|^“So may I,” said Sir Launcelot, “leave her in pain 


SIR LAUNCELOT WEDS BY ENCHANTMENT 28 1 


as well as Sir Gawaine.” '‘Nay,” said the people, 
"we well know that it is Sir Launcelot who shall 
deliver her.” 

Then they brought Sir Launcelot into the tower ; 
and when he came to the chamber where the lady 
was the doors of iron unlocked and unbolted them- 
selves. And so Sir Launcelot went into the cham- 
ber that was very hot, and there he saw the fairest 
lady that he ever had seen. She had been put 
therein by the enchantment of Queen Morgan le 
Fay because she was called the fairest lady of that 
country. And there she had been five years, and 
never might be delivered unless the best knight of 
the world should take her by the hand. Then Sir 
Launcelot took her by the hand, and brought her 
out to the people. 

As soon as they had come forth from the tower, 
the lady said to Sir Launcelot, "Come with me to 
a chapel that we may give thanks to God for my 
deliverance;” and Sir Launcelot replied, "Madam, 
I will go with you as you desire.” So they went 
to the chapel and there they gave thanks and all the 
people with them. And then the people said to Sir 
Launcelot, "Since you have delivered this lady, ye 
shall also deliver us from a serpent that is here in 
a tomb.” 

Then Sir Launcelot took his shield and said, 
"Bring me hither, and whatever I may do for you, 
under the will of God, that I will do.” So when 


282 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Sir Launcelot came hither he saw written upon the 
tomb letters of gold which said thus: “Here shall 
come a person of king’s blood which shall surpass 
all other knights; and he shall slay this serpent.” 

So then Sir Launcelot lifted up the tomb, and 
there came out a horrible and fiendish dragon spit- 
ting fire out of its mouth. Then Sir Launcelot 
drew his sword and fought with the dragon a long 
time, and at last Sir Launcelot slew the dragon. 
Thereat came King Pelles, the good and noble 
knight, and saluted Sir Launcelot and took him 
into the castle and made him good cheer. And 
anon there came a dove at a window, and in her 
mouth there a seemed a little censer of gold. And 
therevrith there was such a savor as if all the spice 
in the world had been there. And forthwith there 
was upon the table all manner of meats and drinks 
that they could think of. And there came in a 
damsel, passing fair and young, and she bore a 
vessel of gold in her hands, and thereto the king 
kneeled devoutly and said his prayers, and so did 
all who were there. And when Sir Launcelot 
asked what this vessel might mean. King Pelles 
said, “This is the richest thing that any man hath 
living; and when this thing goeth about, the Round 
Table shall be broken up ; for know you well that 
this is the Holy Sangreal that ye have seen.” 

And now King Pelles would fain have found 
means to have Sir Launcelot love his daughter, the 


SIR LAUNCELOT WEDS BY ENCHANTMENT 283 

fair Elaine, for it had been foretold that if he would 
take her for his bride they should have a son that 
would be the noblest and purest knight of all the 
world, and by whom the Holy Grail should be 
achieved. But Sir Launcelot had pledged himself 
to be the champion of Queen Guinevere, and would 
not give his love to any maiden no matter how fair 
she might be. So knowing the king’s desire, the 
dame Brisen who was an enchantress, threw a 
magic spell over Sir Launcelot under which he 
made the fair Elaine his bride. 

Now when Sir Launcelot came to himself he was 
very wroth that he had been thus deceived; and 
though he honored the fair Elaine, he would not 
live longer with her because of his pledge of knight- 
hood not to take any one for his wife. And so Sir 
Launcelot left the castle and rode away towards 
King Arthur’s court full of heaviness of heart that 
even by enchantment he had broken his vow of 
knighthood. When the queen learned what had 
been done she was well nigh out of her wits and 
raved as a mad woman, and said to Sir Launcelot, 
“False traitor knight thou art. Look thou; never 
abide in my court and never come in my sight 
again.” “Alas,” said Sir Launcelot, and therewith 
he fell down to the floor in a swoon and when he 
awoke out of his swoon he leaped out of a bay win- 
dow into a garden, and there with thorns was all 
scratched in his face and his body, and so ran forth 


284 the story of king ARTHUR 

he knew not whither and was full out of his mind as 
ever man was. 

And thus for two years or more he ran through 
the woods living on fruit and such other food as 
he might get, with little clothing save his shirt and 
breeches. And as he wandered to and fro he came 
to a pavilion upon which hung a white shield and 
two swords, and two spears leaned against a tree. 
When Sir Launcelot saw the swords, he ran to one 
of them and took it in his hand, and drew it out, 
and then he lashed at the shield so hard that all 
the meadow rang with the noise. At this there 
came forth a dwarf, and leaped upon Sir Launcelot, 
and would have taken the sword out of his hand, 
but Sir Launcelot took him by both shoulders and 
threw him to the ground so hard that his neck 
came near to being broken. As the dwarf cried 
loudly for help, there came forth from the pavilion 
a likely knight named Sir Bliant, richly dressed in 
scarlet; and when he saw Sir Launcelot he knew 
that he was out of his mind, and said to him with 
fair speech, “Good man, lay down that sword, for, 
it seemeth to me, that thou had more need of sleep 
and of warm clothes than to wield a sword.’’ 

“As to that,” said Sir Launcelot, “come not too 
near me, for if you do, know you well that I shall 
slay you.” When the knight saw that, he started 
backward toward the pavilion. And the dwarf 
quickly armed him and so the knight thought by 


SIR LAUNCELOT WEDS BY ENCHANTMENT 285 

force to take the sword from Sir Launcelot; but 
when Sir Launcelot saw him come out with his 
sword in hand, he flew at him with such a might 
and hit him such a buffet upon his helm that the 
knight fell to the earth as if he were dead. And 
then Sir Launcelot ran into the pavilion and leaped 
into the warm bed. As soon as the knight 
awakened out of his swoon, he looked up meekly 
and asked where was the mad man that had given 
him such a buffet, ''for,” he said, "such a buffet had 
I never of man’s hands.” 

"Sir,” said the dwarf, "it is not worship to hurt 
him, for he is a man out of his wit, and doubt you 
not he hath been a man of great worship, and for 
some deep sorrow he hath fallen mad ; and he 
seemeth much like Sir Launcelot, for I saw him 
once at a great tournament at Lonazep.” "Jesu 
defend,” said the knight, "that ever that noble 
knight Sir Launcelot should be in such a plight. 
But whosoever he may be, I will do him no harm.” 
Then he said to the dwarf, "Go in haste on horse- 
back unto my brother. Sir Seliaunt, and tell him 
of the adventure, and bid him bring an horse litter, 
and we will bear this knight into my castle.” And 
so they did, and they bound his hands and his feet 
and gave him good meats and drinks, and brought 
him again to his strength, but they could not 
restore his mind even to know himself. And thus 
he was there more than a year and a half. 


286 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Then upon a day Sir Bliant, the lord of the castle, 
took his arms and rode forth with a spear to seek 
adventures; and as he rode there met him in the 
forest two adventurous knights; the one was Sir 
Breuse sans Pitie and the other his brother Sir 
Bertelot. These two knights ran both upon Sir 
Bliant, and brake their spears upon his body, and 
then drew their swords and fought a long battle; 
but at last Sir Bliant was sorely wounded, and feel- 
ing himself growing faint, he fled on horseback 
to the castle. As the two knights came riding after 
him toward the castle. Sir Launcelot saw them, and 
crazy as he was, he felt sorry for Sir Bliant, and 
broke his chains from his legs, and ran out of the 
gate and met the two knights and pulled down 
one. Sir Bertelot, from his horse, and writhed his 
sword out of his hand and leaped unto Sir Breuse, 
and gave him such a buffet upon the head that he 
tumbled backward over his horse’s cropper. When 
Sir Bertelot saw his brother have such a fall, he got 
a spear in his hand, and would have run Sir Launce- 
lot through ; but Sir Bliant struck off the hand -of 
Sir Bertelot; at which both of the knights sprang 
upon their horses and fled away. 

When Sir Selivant came and saw what Sir 
Launcelot had done for his brother, and saw that 
he was hurt with the breaking of the chains, then 
was he sorry that he had bound him; and he said, 
‘'Bind him no more, for he is happy and gracious.” 


SIR LAUNCELOT WEDS BY ENCHANTMENT 287 

Then they made great joy of Sir Launcelot and 
they bound him no more; and so he abode there 
half a year more. And in a morning early Sir 
Launcelot was aware that a great boar came near 
the castle with many hounds following it; but the 
boar was so big that no hounds could tear him; 
and the hunters came after blowing their horns, 
both on horseback and on foot. Now Sir Launce- 
lot saw where one of them alighted and tied his 
horse to a tree and leaned his spear against the 
tree. Then Sir Launcelot came to the horse and 
leaped into the saddle, and got the spear in his 
hand, and rode after the boar, and came up to him 
and ran at him with his spear. Therewith the boar 
turned quickly and tore out the lungs arid the heart 
of the horse, so that Sir Launcelot fell to the earth, 
and before he could get away from his horse the 
boar rove him in the fleshy part of the thigh. Then 
was Sir Launcelot wroth and he quickly sprang 
upon his feet and drew his sword and smote off the 
boar’s head with a single stroke. 

Thereat came out a hermit, and when he saw Sir 
Launcelot with such a wound, he came to him and 
would have taken him into his hermitage. But 
when Sir Launcelot heard him speak, he was so 
wroth with his wound that he ran upon the hermit 
and would have slain him ; but the hermit ran away ; 
and when Sir Launcelot might not overtake him 
for loss of blood, he threw his sword at the hermit. 


288 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Then the hermit turned again and asked Sir 
Launcelot how he was hurt ; to which Sir Launce- 
lot replied, “PTllow, this boar hath bitten me.” 
‘Then come with me,” said the hermit, “and I will 
heal you.” But Sir Launcelot replied, “Go thy 
way, and deal not with me.” 

Then the hermit went his way, and as he went 
he met with a good knight and many men with 
him. And the hermit said, “Sir, here is near by 
the goodliest man that ever I saw, and he is sorely 
wounded with a boar, and yet he hath slain the 
boar. But he will not be helped, and he will die 
of his wound, which would be a great pity.” Then 
the knights, at the desire of the hermit, got a cart 
and in that ‘cart they put the boar and Sir Launce- 
lot, for Sir Launcelot was so feeble with the loss 
of blood that they could now easily deal with him. 
And so Sir Launcelot was brought unto the her- 
mitage, and there the hermit healed his wound. 
But the hermit could not provide suitable food for 
Sir Launcelot, and so he waxed feeble again both 
in mind and in body and became more crazy than 
ever. And at length, upon a day, he ran away into 
the forest : and by adventure came into the city of 
Corbin where lived the dame Elaine. 

And so it was when he entered the town he ran 
through it to the castle, and all the young men of 
the city ran after him, and gave him many good 
strokes; and Sir Launcelot turned upon them and 














SIR LAUNCELOT WEDS BY ENCHANTMENT 289 

such as he could reach he threw upon the ground, 
so that they fled from him ; and then turning again 
he fled towards the castle. Seeing him thus beset, 
there came out from the castle knights and squires 
for to rescue Sir Launcelot ; and when they beheld 
him and looked upon his person, they thought they 
never saw so goodly a man. And when they saw 
so many wounds upon him, they all deemed that 
he had ever been a man of worship. And then 
they clothed his body and gave him a little house, 
with straw for him to sleep upon; and every day 
they would throw him meat and set him drink ; but 
there were few or none that dared to bring meat 
to him in their hands. 

One day as he lay sleeping, Elaine chanced to 
come near where he was, and as soon as she saw 
him she knew that it was Sir Launcelot. Then she 
called for her father and when he came to him he 
saw that Sir Launcelot was out of his mind. So he 
called the dame Brisen, the enchantress, who when 
she saw him said, “We must be wise how we deal 
with him, for this knight is out of his mind, and if 
we awake him rudely we do not know what he may 
do.’' So she cast an enchantment upon him so 
that he would not awaken for an hour; and then 
they took him up and carried him into the tower, 
and so into the chamber where was the Holy Grail, 
and laid him beside that holy vessel. And then 
there came a holy man and uncovered the vessel, 


19 


290 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


and so by virtue of that holy vessel, Sir Launcelot 
was healed and made whole both in mind and body. 

When Sir Launcelot opened his eyes and saw 
King Pelles and dame Elaine, he was in a maze; 
and he said, “Tell me, I pray thee, how came I here? 
For Heaven’s sake, my lord, let me know how I 
came here.” Then Elaine told him how he had lost 
his mind and had wandered in the forest, and how 
by chance one of her maids saw him as he was 
sleeping by the well and brought her to him, and 
how she had told her father and they had carried 
him and laid him beside the Holy Grail, and by 
virtue of it he had been healed. 

Then Sir Launcelot asked how many knew of his 
madness; and when he learned that it was known 
only to Elaine and her father and dame Brisen, he 
said, “I pray you for the lovje of Heaven to keep it 
secret and let no one in the world know it, for I 
am sore ashamed that I have thus miscarried.” 
And so he lay more than a fortnight, before he 
might stir for soreness. Then that he might not 
be known, he assumed the name of Le Chevalier 
Mai Tait, the knight that hath trespassed. And 
King Pelles took him to the castle of Bliant where 
he took up his abode with the king and dame 
Elaine and with many knights and ladies. The 
castle w'as on an island in the midst of a deep clear 
lake, which Sir Launcelot named the Joyous Isle. 

And now his knightly spirit soon returned, and 


SIR LAUNCELOT WEDS BY ENCHANTMENT 29 1 

hearing of a joust near the castle, he called unto 
him a dwarf and sent him to the jousting place to 
make a cry in the presence of all the knights, say- 
ing that there was a knight in the Joyous Isle whose 
name was Le Chevalier Mai Tait who would joust 
against any knights that might come, and that any 
one who should put him to the worse would re- 
ceive as a prize a jewel of worth and a jerfalcon. 
So when the cry was made, there came to the Joy- 
ous Isle many knights; and Sir Launcelot met 
them and did such deeds of arms as never was seen 
even in King Arthur’s court. And after the joust 
was over he made them all a great feast at which 
they all had good cheer. 

Meanwhile there came that way Sir Percivale de 
Galis and Sir Ector de Maris, who had long been 
searching for Sir Launcelot. And when they be- 
held that gay castle, they would have gone into it, 
but there was neither bridge to cross nor boat to 
bear them. Then they saw on the other side a lady, 
and Sir Percivale called to her and asked her who 
was in the castle. To which she answered, “The 
fairest lady in the land named Elaine, and the fairest 
and strongest knight on earth who calls himself Le 
Chevalier Mai Tait. And if ye would come into the 
castle,” she said, “you must ride to the other side, 
and there you will find a vessel that will bear you 
and your horses.” 

So the two knights departed and came unto the 


292 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


vessel. And then Sir Percivale alighted and said 
to Sir Ector de Maris, ‘‘Ye shall abide here until I 
know what manner of knight this is, for it were a 
great shame unto us, as he is but one knight, if we 
were both to do battle with him.’’ “Do as you list,” 
said Sir Ector de Maris, “here I shall abide until I 
hear of you again.” 

Then Sir Percivale passed over the water, and 
when he came to the castle gate he said to the 
porter, “Go thou unto the knight of the castle and 
tell him that here cometh an errant knight that 
would joust with him.” Then the porter took him 
within the castle to the jousting grounds, and gave 
the message to Sir Launcelot who was soon ready 
for the adventure. And now as they rode together 
with great force their spears were so strong that 
both the horses and the knights fell to the ground, 
and then they drew their swords and fought for 
two hours each giving the other many sore wounds. 

At length Sir Percivale said, “Fair knight, I ask 
thee to tell me thy name, for I never met such a 
knight as you are.” “Sir,” said Sir Launcelot, “my 
name is Le Chevalier Mai Tait. Now tell me your 
name,” said Sir Launcelot; “I require you, as ye 
are a gentle knight.” ' “Truly,” said Sir Percivale, 
“my name is Sir Percivale de Galis, the son of King 
Pellenore.” 

When Sir Launcelot heard this he cried out, 
“Alas, what have I done to fight with you, a knight 


SIR LAUNCELQT WEDS BY ENCHANTMENT 293 

of the Round Table, since I was some time your 
fellow in King Arthur’s court.” And therewith 
Sir Launcelot kneeled down upon his knees and 
threw away his sword, which when Sir Percivale 
saw it he marveled what it meant. And then he 
said, “Sir knight, whoever you may be, I charge 
thee, upon the high order of knighthood to tell 
me thy true name.” Then he said, “Truly my name 
is Sir Launcelot du Lake, the son of King Ban.” 

“Alas,” said Sir Percivale, “what have I done? 
I was sent by the queen to seek you, and so I have 
sought you nigh this two years ; and yonder is your 
brother. Sir Ector de Maris, who waiteth for me 
on the other side of yonder water. Now I pray you 
forgive me mine offence that I have done here.’* 
“That is soon forgiven,” said Sir Launcelot. 

Then Sir Percivale sent for Sir Ector de Maris ; 
and when Sir Launcelot saw him, he ran unto him 
and took him in his arms, and they both kneeled 
down and wept so that all had pity who beheld it. 
Then came dame Elaine and she made them great 
cheer as much as lay in her power, and she told 
them how and in what manner Sir Launcelot came 
unto that country, and how he was healed. 

Then said Sir Ector, “I am your brother, and ye 
are the man in all the world whom I love the best, 
and I would not counsel you to your harm. But 
there has been great sorrow at King Arthur’s court 
since your departure, and the king and queen made 


294 the story of king ARTHUR 

such dole and sorrow, that it was a marvel to hear 
and see. And ye must remember the great wor- 
ship and renown that ye be of, how that ye have 
been more spoken of than any knight now living, 
for there is none that beareth the name now but 
ye and Sir Tristram. Therefore, brother, I advise 
you to make ready to ride unto the court with us, 
and I dare well say there was never knight better 
welcome unto the court than you.’' 

“Well,” said Sir Launcelot, “I will do what you 
counsel, and ride with you.” So they made ready 
their horses, and took their leave of King Pelles 
and the dame Elaine ; and when Sir Launcelot was 
ready to depart the dame Elaine made great sorrow 
and wept as if her heart would break. 

And now within five days’ journey they came to 
Camelot. And when Sir Launcelot was seen 
among them, the king and all the knights made 
great joy of him ; and when Sir Percivale began to 
tell of all the adventures and how Sir Launcelot 
had been out of his mind all the time of his absence 
and how he called himself Le Chevalier Mai Tait 
and in three days smote down five hundred knights. 
Queen Guinevere wept as she would have died, and 
then afterward she made great joy. 

And the king said, “I marvel for what cause. Sir 
Launcelot, ye went out of your mind.” “My lord.” 
'( replied Sir Launcelot, “if I did any folly I have 
found that I sought.” And so the king said no 


SIR LAUNCELOT WEDS BY ENCHANTMENT 295 

more, but all of Sir Launcelot’s kin knew for whom 
he went out of his mind. And many great lords 
and ladies, when they heard that Sir Launcelot was 
come to court again, made great joy, and there 
were great feasts held and much rejoicing among 
them all 


THE BOOK OF THE HOLY GRAIL 


CHAPTER I 

THE QUEST OF THE SANGREAL 

A nd now came the marvelous adventure of the 
Sangreal, or Holy Cup, which was the cup 
from' which our Saviour drank at his last 
supper with his disciples. It was said that this 
cup had been given to Joseph of Arimathea, who 
carried it to Europe, and with it the spear with 
which the soldier Longius pierced the Saviour’s 
side. These sacred relics had been kept from gen- 
eration to generation by some one of the descend- 
ants of Joseph of Arimathea who was pledged to a 
life of purity in thought, word, and deed. 

For a long time the Sangreal was visible to all 
pilgrims and its presence wrought great blessings 
upon the land in which it was preserved. But on a 
time one of the holy men who had charge of it 
broke his vow of purity, and instantly the spear 
pierced his body and the Sangreal vanished from 
296 


THE QUEST OF THE SANGREAL 


297 


their sight. Men wondered where the Holy Cup 
had gone and often thought of making search for 
it but no knights seemed pure enough to under- 
take the adventure. Now and then it appeared 
unexpectedly and wrought some miraculous work, 
to disappear again as soon as the work was done. 

It so happened in the days of King Arthur that 
two brave and noble knights, Sir Percivale and Sir 
Ector, met in the forest and engaged in combat 
until both were sorely wounded so that they were 
not expected to live. Then Sir Percivale, who was 
one of the purest knights in the world, knelt down 
and made his prayer devoutly unto Jesus. And as 
he prayed, behold there came by the holy vessel of 
the Sangreal with all manner of sweetness and 
savor ; but they could not clearly see who bore the 
vessel, though Sir Percivale had a glimmering of it 
and of the maiden all in white who bore it; for he 
was a very pure knight. And forthwith both the 
knights were made whole, and they arose and gave 
thanks to God with great gratitude. 

Again it happened as has already been told that 
Sir Launcelot was wounded by a wild boar nigh 
unto death. And he went and laid himself down 
by a well and fell asleep. And here he was found 
by the fair Elaine who loved him as her life. And 
she called her father King Pelles to come to the 
well and he found Sir Launcelot not only sorely 
wounded but seemingly out of his mind. Then the 


298 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

king chose four persons whom he most trusted, 
and with the fair Elaine they bore Sir Launcelot 
unto a tower and so into a chamber where the holy 
vessel had appeared, and laid him beside the holy 
vessel. And there came a holy man and uncovered 
the vessel, and by virtue of that sacred vessel Sir 
Launcelot was healed by miracle. And then the 
vessel disappeared again. 

All these things made them more desirous of 
going in search of the Sangreal in hopes that they 
might find it and restore it to the people again. 
Many years before, Merlin, the great prophet and 
enchanter, sent a message to King Arthur by Sir 
Gawaine, that he should undertake the recovery of 
the Sangreal, saying that the knight who should 
accomplish the sacred quest was already born, and 
of a suitable age to enter upon it. 


CHAPTER II 


SIR GALAHAD AND THE FLOATING SWORD 

N OW at the vigil of Pentecost, when all the 
fellowship of the Round Table had come to 
Camelot, there rode into the hall a fair gen- 
tlewoman whose horse was white with sweat and 
foam. She went forward to Sir Launcelot and 
saluted him and besought him that he would go 
into the forest with her to dub a young man a 
knight. At this Sir Launcelot armed himself and 
rode with her, and before the day was done they 
came to an abbey of nuns. While he stood talk- 
ing with the abbess there came in twelve nuns 
bringing with them a youth who had not yet 
reached manhood but who was strong and passing 
fair. 

“Sir,’’ said the nuns, “we bring you this young 
man, whom we have long nourished with care, and 
pray you to make him a knight ; for a worthier man 
than he may not receive the order of knighthood.” 
Sir Launcelot looked at the young man and saw 
that he was seemly and demure as a dove and of 

299 


300 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


wonderful beauty of form and features and his 
heart went out with great love for the handsome 
youth. And he asked, 'AVhat is his name?’’ “We 
call him Galahad,” they replied. “From whom 
has he sprung?” said Sir Launcelot. “His mother 
is dead,” they answered, “but his father is a full 
noble knight as ye shall soon learn.” “Then shall 
he receive the high order of knighthood at to- 
morrow’s high feast,” said Sir Launcelot. 

So on the morrow at early morn Sir Launcelot 
made the young man a knight, saying to him as he 
touched him with his sword, “God make thee a 
good man, for beauty faileth thee not as any man 
liveth.” Then when they had broken their fast. 
Sir Launcelot said to the young knight, “Fair sir, 
will you not come with me to the court of King 
Arthur?” But the young knight replied, “I 
humbly beg your pardon, but I cannot come at this 
time. Trust me, however, to follow you soon.” 

Then Sir Launcelot left the abbey and rode back 
to Camelot. And there he found a great array of 
knights, some of them strangers, who walked 
around the Round Table reading the names written 
in letters of gold in many of the seats, and saying, 
“Here sits Gawaine, here Launcelot, here Perci- 
vale,” and so with the others. At length they 
came to the Seat Perilous in which no man but 
Percivale had ever dared to sit, and he had ceased 
to sit therein. And as they looked at the Seat 


SIR GALAHAD AND THE FLOATING SWORD 3OI 

Perilous they found letters newly written of gold, 
that said, “Four hundred winters and fifty-four ac- 
complished after the passion of our Lord Jesu 
Christ ought this siege to be fulfilled/’ 

Then they all said, “This is a marvelous thing/’ 
And Sir Launcelot reckoned the time and said, 
“This siege ought to be fulfilled this day, for this 
is the feast of Pentecost after the four hundred and 
fifty-fourth year. And now I advise that these 
letters be hidden till he comes for whom this seat 
was ordained.” So they took a cloth and placed 
it over the letters of the Seat Perilous. 

And now as they stood speaking, an old man en- 
tered the hall saying, “I bring you marvelous 
tidings, for there is near by at the river, a great 
stone, floating in the water, and in that stone there 
is sticking a sword.” The king said, “I will see the 
marvel.” And so he and all his knights went to 
the river, and there they saw the stone floating in 
the water and sticking in the stone was a fair and 
rich sword adorned with precious stones. And as 
they looked in wonder, the stone came floating in 
to where they stood. xA.nd on the sword were 
subtle letters which read, “Never shall man take 
me hence, but only he by whose side I ought to 
hang; and he shall be the best knight in the world.” 

When the king had seen these letters he said 
unto Sir Launcelot, “Fair son, this sword ought to 
be yours, for I am sure that ye are the best knight 


302 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


in the world.” But Sir Launcelot replied, '‘I am 
sure this sword is not for me, and I have not the 
hardihood to set my hand to it. And beside, who- 
soever essayeth to take that sword and faileth in so 
doing, shall receive a wound by that sword which 
shall be long in healing.” 

Then said the king to Sir Gawaine, “Fair nephew, 
essay you to take the sword.” But Sir Gawaine 
answered, “I must not do that.” But when the 
king commanded him he essayed to try it; so he 
took the sword by the handle but he could not stir 
it. Then Sir Launcelot said, “Now know you well 
that this sword shall wound you so sorely that you 
will wish that you had never set your hand thereto 
for the best castle in the realm.” 

When the king heard this he was sorry that he 
had commanded Sir Gawaine against his will. 
Nevertheless he said to Sir Percivale that he should 
essay to draw the sword. And Sir Percivale said 
he would gladly do it to bear Sir Gawaine’s fellow- 
ship. And therewith he set his hand on the sword 
and drew it strongly, but he could not move it. 
But there were no more who dared to set their 
hands thereto. 

And now the knights took their seats at the 
Round Table, every seat being filled except the 
Scat Perilous. As they sat there at meat, a marvel 
befell, for suddenly all the doors and windows shut 
of their own accord, yet was not the room greatly 


SIR GALAHAD AND THE FLOATING SWORD 3O3 

darkened, and the men looked into one another’s 
faces with wonder and affright. Then King 
Arthur spoke and said, “Fair fellows, this has been 
a day of strange events.” 

As he spake there came into the hall an ancient 
man clothed all in white, and with him he brought 
a young knight without sword or shield save a 
scabbard hanging at his side. Addressing the 
people, the old man said, “Peace be with you, fair 
lords.” And then turning to King Arthur he said, 
“Sir, I bring you here a young knight that is of 
king’s lineage and of the kindred of Joseph of 
Arimathea; and by his hand are many strange ad- 
ventures to be accomplished.” At this King 
Arthur said, “God make him a good man, for 
beauty faileth him not as any man liveth.” 

Then the old man made the young knight to dis- 
arm himself, and Sir Launcelot saw that it was the 
young man whom he had knighted that morning at 
the abbey. The old man then led the young 
knight unto the Seat Perilous, and lifting up the 
cloth found there letters, saying, “This is the seat 
of Galahad, the high prince.” And the old man 
seated the young knight therein. 

At this all the knights of the Table Round mar- 
veled greatly that one so young should dare to sit 
in the Seat Perilous. And as they looked upon 
him they said to one another, “This is he by 
whom the Sangreal shall be achieved.” And 


304 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


King Arthur went and took him by the hand and 
said, ^'Sir, ye are welcome, for ye shall move many 
good knights unto the quest of the Sangreal and 
ye shall achieve that which never knight might 
bring to an end.” 

Meanwhile the queen heard of the strange young 
knight who had been seated in the Seat Perilous; 
and she came with many of her ladies to see this 
strange thing. As she came within the hall and 
saw Sir Galahad, she stood a moment in surprise 
and then exclaimed, “It is Sir Launcelot in youth 
again.” Then going up to the young knight, she 
said, “Fair sir, tell me truly who is your father and 
who is your mother.” 

“Fair lad}^” Sir Galahad replied, “King Pelles is 
my grandsire and Elaine was my mother; but as 
for my father I know him not.” “Then do I,” said 
the queen, “for he sits beside you. Sir Launcelot is 
your father and you are the son of the noblest 
knight that ever wore sword.” At these words Sir 
Launcelot rose up in haste, and went to the young 
knight and clasped him in his arms and kissed him 
and said, “My son! can it be? The son of the fair 
Elaine?” And each clasped the other in his arms, 
and they kissed each other many times. 

Then King Arthur came to Sir Galahad and bade 
him welcome to his court ; and he took him by the 
hand and went down with him to show him the 
marvel of the stone. When Sir Galahad saw it he 


SIR GALAHAD AND THE FLOATING SWORD 30S 

said, “This is no marvel, for this sword is mine and 
for the surety of this sword I brought none with 
me ; for here by my side hangeth the scabbard.” 
Then he took hold of the sword and lightly drew it 
from the stone and put it in the sheath and said, 
“This sword was aforetime that of the good knight 
Balin, with which he slew his brother Balan. The 
scabbard I wear was Balin’s scabbard, and it was 
Merlin who put the sword into the stone saying 
that no hand should draw it but that of Sir 
Launcelot, or his son Galahad.” 

Therewith the king and all his knights espied a 
lady on a white palfrey riding down the river to- 
ward them. As she came she saluted the king and 
the queen, and then asked for Sir Launcelot. “I 
am here,” Sir Launcelot replied; at which she fell 
a-weeping and said, “How your great doing is 
changed since this morning !” “Why say you so?” 
said Sir Launcelot. “Because,” she replied, “ye 
were before this day the best knight of the world, 
but who should say so now would be a liar, for 
there is now one better than ye. For -he hath 
taken the sword which you dared not essay.” As 
touching that,” said Sir Launcelot, “I know I 
never was of the best.” “Yes,” said the damsel, 
“that you were, and you are still of the best of any 
sinful man of the world ; and I bring you word that 
there shall befall you the greatest worship that ever 
befell the King of Britain ; for this day the Sangreal 


20 


3o6 the story of king Arthur 

shall appear in thy house and shall feed thee and 
all thy fellowship of the Round Table.” So she 
departed and went the way she had come. 

On the next day the king said, ‘‘Now at the 
quest of the Sangreal shall all of ye of the Round 
Table depart, and never more shall I see you again 
all together; therefore I will that ye all repair to 
the meadow of Camelot, for to joust and tourney 
yet once more before you depart.” In this the pur- 
pose of the king was to see Sir Galahad proved. 
So they all assembled on the meadow as the king 
desired. 

Then. Sir Galahad, by request of the king and 
queen, put on his harness and his helm, but a shield 
he would not take for any prayer of the king. And 
the queen was in the tower with all her ladies, to 
behold the tournament. Then Sir Galahad rode 
into the midst of the meadow and there began to 
break spears marvelously, so that all men regarded 
him with wonder, for he surpassed all the knights 
upon the field except two. Sir Launcelot and Sir 
Per ci vale. 

As soon as the jousting was at an end, the king 
and knights went back to Camelot where they as- 
sembled for even-song in the great minster. 
Thence they went to the palace hall where they all 
gathered round the table for their evening meal. 
And now as they sat around the table suddenly 
there was heard a clap of thunder, and then a light 


SIR GALAHAD AND THE FLOATING SWORD 307 

burst forth seven times brighter than the day. 
Each knight as he looked at his fellow saw him, 
in seeming, fairer than ever before. All the hall 
was filled with sweet odors, and every knight had 
such meat as he loved best. Then as the storm and 
glare passed away, there entered into the hall the 
Holy Grail, covered with white samite, so that none 
could see it, and it passed through the hall and dis- 
appeared. 

During this time no one spoke a word, but when 
they had regained their breath to speak. King 
Arthur said, “We ought greatly to thank the Lord 
for what he hath shewed us to-day.” Then Sir 
Gawaine rose up, and made a vow that for twelve 
months and a day he would seek the Sangreal, and 
not return till he had seen it. When they of the 
Round Table heard Sir Gawaine make this resolve 
they all arose and the most part of them vowfed the 
same. When King Arthur heard this he was 
sorely grieved, for he knew well he might not gain- 
say their vows. But his heart was full of sorrow at 
the thought of losing the companionship of the 
knights of the Table Round. Turning to Sir Ga- 
waine, he said, “Alas, you have nigh slain me witli 
the vow and promise you have made> for you have 
bereft me of the fairest fellowship that ever was 
seen together in any realm of the world; for when 
they shall depart hence, I am sure that all shall 
never meet more in this world.” 


3o8 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


Then the king and queen went to the minster, 
and the knights followed them. And after service 
they put on their helms and made ready to depart ; 
and there was great sorrow. As they rode through 
the street of Camelot there was weeping of the 
rich and the poor and the king turned away and 
could not speak for weeping. As for the queen she 
went to her chamber and there she wept sorely, 
fearing she might see Sir Launcelot no more. 
And so they departed and every knight took the 
way that seemed best to him. 


CHAPTER III 


THE QUEST OF SIR GALAHAD AND SIR GAWAINE 

S IR GALAHAD went forth without his shield, 
and thus rode four days and found no ad- 
venture. And on the fourth day, after even- 
song, he came to a white abbey and there he was 
received with great reverence, and was led to a 
chamber. Here he met two knights. King Bag- 
demagus and Sir Ewaine, and they made of him 
great solace. ‘‘Sirs,” said Sir Galahad, “what ad- 
venture brought you hither?” “Sir,” said they, “it 
is told us that within this place is a shield which no 
man may bear unless he be worthy; and if any one 
unworthy should attempt to bear it, it shall surely 
do him a mischief.” Then King Bagdemagus said, 
“I fear not to bear it, and that shall ye see to- 
morrow.” 

So on the morrow they arose, and heard mass; 
after which King Bagdemagus asked where the ad- 
venturous shield was. Anon a monk led him be- 
hind an altar where the shield hung, white as snow ; 
but in the midst there was a red cross. The monk 

309 


310 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

said, ^‘This shield ought not be worn but by the 
best knight in the world.” '‘Well,” said King 
Bagdemagus, "I shall essay to wear it.” Then 
King Bagdemagus took the shield and bare it out 
of the minster; and he said to Sir Galahad, “If it 
please you, abide here till ye know how I shall 
speed.” 

Then King Bagdemagus and his squire rode 
forth and when they had ridden a mile or two, they 
saw a goodly knight coming toward them, in white 
armor, and he came as fast as his horse could run, 
with his spear in rest; and King Bagdemagus met 
him with his spear and broke it upon the white 
knight; but the other struck him so hard that he 
broke the mails, and thrust him through the right 
shoulder, for the shield covered him not, and so 
bare him from his horse. 

And therewith he alighted and took the white 
shield from him saying, “Knight, thou hast done 
thyself great folly; for this shield ought not to be 
borne but by him that hath no peer living.” And 
then he came to King Bagdemagus’s squire and 
said, “Bear this shield unto the good knight. Sir 
Galahad, that thou left in the abbey, and greet him 
well for me.” “Sir,” said the squire, “what is your 
name?” “Take thou no heed of my name,” said 
the knight, “for it is not for thee to know, nor for 
any earthly man.” Then the white knight turned 
his horse and rode away. 











THE QUEST OF GALAHAD AND GAWAINE 3II 

Then the squire went to King Bagdemagus and 
asked him whether he was wounded or not, to 
which he replied, ‘T am sore wounded, and full 
hardly shall I escape death.” Then the squire set 
him on his horse and brought him to an abbey; 
and there he was taken down softly and unarmed, 
and laid in a bed, and his wound was looked to; 
and he lay there long, and hardly escaped with his 
life. And the squire told Sir Galahad that the 
knight who had stricken King Bagdemagus had 
sent the shield to him. 

The next day Sir Galahad took the shield, and 
rode forth with it, and within a while he came to a 
hermitage where he met the white knight, and each 
saluted the other courteously. '‘Sir,” said Sir 
Galahad, "can you tell me the marvel of the shield?” 
"Sir,” replied the white knight, "that shield be- 
longed of old to the gefntle knight, Joseph of Ari- 
mathea; and when he came to die he said, 'Never 
shall man bear this shield about his neck but he 
shall repent it, unto the time that Sir Galahad, the 
good knight, bear it, the last of my lineage, the 
which shall do many marvelous deeds.’ ” And then 
the white knight vanished away. 

Meantime Gawaine departed and rode away many 
days forward and backward, and at last he came 
to the abbey where Sir Galahad took the white 
shield. And they told Sir Gawaine of the mar- 
velous adventure that Sir Galahad had done. 


312 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


‘Truly,” said Sir Gawaine, “I am not happy that I 
took not the way that he went, for, if I may meet 
with him, I will not part from him lightly, that I 
may partake with him all the marvelous adventures 
which he shall achieve.” “Sir,” said one of the 
monks, “he will not be of your fellowship.” “Why 
so?” said Sir Gawaine. To which the monk re- 
plied, “Because ye are wicked and sinful, and he 
is full blessed.” 

Then Sir Gawaine rode on again, and after slay- 
ing a knight who opposed him he came to another 
hermitage; and there he found the good man say- 
ing his evening song of our Lady. And he asked 
the good man that he might stay at his house, 
which was gladly granted. And when the good 
man learned who he was and what he had done, the 
good man said, “Sir Gawaine, thou must do pen- 
ance for thy vows.” “Sir,” said Gawaine, “what 
penance shall I do?” “Such as I will show,” 
said the good man. “Nay,” said Sir Gawaine, “I 
will do no penance, for we knights adventurous 
often suffer great woe and pain.” “Well,” said 
the good man, and then he held his peace. And 
on the morrow Sir Gawaine departed. 

Then Sir Galahad rode on until he came to a 
waste forest; and there he met Sir Launcelot and 
Sir Percivale, but they knew him not for he was 
disguised. So Sir Launcelot dressed his spear and 
rode upon his son Sir Galahad, who also rode upon 


THE QUEST OF GALAHAD AND GAWAINE 313 

Sir Laimcelot and smote him down horse and man. 
And then Sir Galahad drew his sword and dressed 
himself to Sir Percivale and smote him so hard a 
blow upon the helm that had not the sword 
swerved, Sir Percivale would have been slain. 

This encounter took place before a hermitage 
where dwelt a holy woman, a recluse. And when 
she saw Sir Galahad ride, she said, “God be with 
thee, best knight of the world. And had the two 
knights. Sir Launcelot and Sir Percivale, known you 
so well as I do, they would not have encountered 
with you.” When Sir Galahad heard her say this, 
he was sore afraid he might be known ; so he smote 
his horse with his spurs and rode a great pace for- 
ward from them. Then they both perceived that 
he was Sir Galahad and mounting their horses 
they rode fast after him but in a while he 
was out of sight; and so they turned again with 
heavy hearts. 


CHAPTER IV 


THE QUEST OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND SIR PERCIVALE 

N OW Sir Lanncelot left Sir Percivale and rode 
over the waste and entered a wide forest 
and held no path but as wild adventure led 
him. And at last he came to a stone cross, and by 
the cross was a stone of marble, but it was so dark 
that Sir Launcelot did not know what it was. 
Then as he looked he saw an old chapel, but no peo- 
ple therein. So he tied his horse to a tree, and put 
off his shield, and hung it upon a tree ; and then he 
went unto the chapel, and looked through an open- 
ing in the wall, and found the chapel waste and 
broken. And within he saw a fair altar, full richly 
arrayed with cloth of silk; and there stood a fair 
candlestick which bare six great candles, and the 
candlestick was of silver. When Sir Launcelot 
saw this sight he had great wish to enter the chapel, 
but he could find no place where he might enter. 
Then he was passing heavy and dismayed. And he 
returned and came to his horse and took off his 
saddle and bridle, and let him pasture ; and then un- 

314 


THE QUEST OF LAUNCELOT AND PERCIVALE 3I5 

laced his helm, and ungirded his sword, and laid 
him down to sleep upon his shield before the cross. 

And as he lay half waking and half sleeping, he 
saw come by him two palfreys all fair and white, 
which bare a litter upon which lay a sick knight. 
And Sir Launcelot heard him say, '‘O sweet Lord, 
when shall this sorrow leave me, and when shall 
the holy vessel come by me whereby I shall be 
healed?” And thus the knight complained for a 
long while, and Sir Launcelot heard it. And as 
he looked. Sir Launcelot saw the candlestick with 
the lighted tapers come before the cross; but he 
could see nobody who bore it. Also there came a 
table of silver and the holy vessel of the Sangreal ; 
and therewithal the sick knight sat up and held up 
both his hands and said, “Fair, sweet Lord, who is 
here within this holy vessel, take heed of me that 
I may be whole of this malady.” And therewith, 
upon his hands and knees, he went so nigh that he 
touched the holy vessel and kissed it ; and anon he 
was whole. Then the holy vessel went into the 
chapel again, with the candlestick and the light, so 
that Sir Launcelot wist not what became of it. 

Then the sick knight arose and kissed the cross; 
and anon his squire brought him his arms and 
asked his lord how he did. “I thank God, right 
heartily,” he said, “for through the holy vessel, I 
am healed. But I have great marvel of this sleep- 
ing knight who hath neither grace nor power to 


3i6 the story of king ARTHUR 

awake when this holy vessel was brought hither/^ 
“I dare well say,” said the squire, “that he dwelleth 
in some deadly sin whereof he was never confessed.” 
And then the squire brought him Sir Launcelofs 
helm and sword, and when he was armed he took 
Sir Launcelot’s horse that was better than his own, 
and so departed. 

And then anon Sir Launcelot awoke, and set 
himself upright, and bethought him of what he had 
seen, and whether it were a dream or not. And he 
heard a voice saying, “Sir Launcelot, more harder 
than is the stone, and more bitter than is the wood, 
and more naked than is the leaf of the fig-tree; 
therefore go thou from hence and withdraw thou 
from this holy place.” And when Sir Launcelot 
heard this, he was passing heavy, and wist not what 
to do ; and so he departed sore weeping and cursed 
the time that he was ever born. Then he went to 
the cross, and found his helm and his sword and his 
horse, taken away. Then he called himself the 
most unhappy of all knights, and said, “My sin and 
my wickedness hath brought me into great dis- 
honor. For when I sought worldly adventures 
and worldly desires, I ever achieved them, and had 
the better in every place, and never was I discom- 
fitted in any quarrel, was it right or wrong. And 
now I take upon me the adventure of holy things, 
I see and understand that mine old sin hindereth 
me, so that I had no power to stir nor to speak 


THE QUEST OF LAUNCELOT AND PERCIVALE 317 

when the holy blood appeared to me.” Thus he 
sorrowed till it was day, and he heard the birds 
begin to sing; and then was he somewhat com- 
forted. 

Then he departed from the cross on foot and 
went into the forest. And there he found a her- 
mitage, and a hermit therein, who was going to 
mass. And Sir Launcelot kneeled down and 
prayed for mercy for his wicked deeds. So when 
mass was done. Sir Launcelot called the hermit 
to him, and prayed him for charity to hear his con- 
fession. “With a good will,” said the good man. 
And then he told that good man all his life, and 
how he had loved a queen unmeasurably for many 
years. “And all my great deeds of arms,” he said, 
“that I have done, I did the most part for the 
queen’s sake, and for her sake would I do battle, 
were it right or wrong, and never did I battle at 
all only for God’s sake, but for to win worship, and 
to cause myself to be better beloved; and little 
or naught I thanked God for it. I pray you counsel 
me.” 

“I will counsel,” said the hermit, “if ye will in- 
sure rhe that ye will never come in that queen’s 
fellowship again, as much as ye may forbear.” And 
then Sir Launcelot promised the hermit, by his 
faith, that he would no more come in her company. 
“Look that your heart and your mouth accord,” 
said the good man, “and I shall insure you that 


3i8 the story of king Arthur 

you shall have more worship than ye ever had.” 
Then the good man enjoined Sir Launcelot such 
penance as he might do, and he absolved Sir 
Launcelot, and made him abide with him all that 
day. And Sir Launcelot repented himself greatly. 

Now when Sir Launcelot started to ride after Sir 
Galahad, Sir Percivale turned again to the recluse 
where he thought tO' obtain tidings of the knight 
which Sir Launcelot had followed. And so he 
kneeled at her window, and the recluse opened it 
and asked him what he wanted. And he told her 
that he was a knight of King Arthur’s court and 
that his name was Sir Percivale de Galis. When 
the recluse heard his name was Sir Percivale she 
had great joy, for she had loved him more than any 
other knight, and this was because she was his aunt. 
And of her he learned that the knight was Sir Gala- 
had. And he said, “Fair aunt, I long to know 
some way to find him, for much would I love the 
fellowship of him.” “Fair nephew,” she replied, 
“you must ride to a certain castle and there shall 
ye hear true tidings of him.” 

Then he departed and rode till the hour of noon ; 
and he met in the valley about twenty men of arms, 
who bore on a bier a dead knight. And when they 
saw Sir Percivale they asked him whence he was; 
and when he told them he was of King Arthur’s 
court they all cried out at once, “Slay him.” Then 
Sir Percivale rode upon them and smote the first 


THE QUEST OF LAUNCELOT AND PERCIVALE 3 IQ 

to the earth and his horse upon him. At this 
seven of the knights rode upon him and smote 
upon his shield all at once, while the others slew 
his horse so that he fell to the earth. And then 
they had taken him or slain him but by chance the 
good knight, Sir Galahad, came riding that way; 
and when he saw all the knights upon one he cried 
out, “Save me that knight’s life.” 

Saying this he rode toward the twenty men at 
arms as fast as his horse might drive and smote 
the foremost, horse and man, to the earth. And 
when his spear was broken he set his hand to his 
sword, and smote on the right hand and on the left, 
that it was a marvel to see ; and at every stroke he 
smote down a knight, or put him to flight, so that 
they would fight no more, but fled to a thick forest, 
and Sir Galahad followed them. 

When Sir Percivale saw him chase them so he 
thought it must be Sir Galahad, and he cried aloud, 
“Ah, fair knight, abide and suffer me to thank you, 
for right well have ye done for me.” And he 
started to follow Sir Galahad on foot. But Sir 
Galahad rode so fast that he soon passed out of 
sight. When Sir Percivale saw that he would not 
turn, he said, “Now am I very wretched and most 
unhappy above all knights.” So' in this sorrow he 
abode all that day till it was night and then he was 
faint and laid himself down and slept till midnight. 
When he awoke he saw before him a woman, 


320 THE STORY OP KING ARTHUR 

who said to him, '‘Sir Percvale, what dost thou 
here?’^ 

He answered and said, “I do neither good, nor 
great ill.’^ "If thou wilt promise me,” she said, 
"that thou wilt fulfil my will when I summon thee, 
I will lend thee my own horse, which shalt bear 
thee whither thou wilt go.” 

Sir Percivale was glad of her proffer and prom- 
ised to fulfil all her desire. "Then abide you here,” 
she said, "and I will go and bring you a horse.” 
And so she came soon again and brought a horse 
with her that was inky black ; and when Sir Perci- 
vale saw it he marveled because it was so great and 
so well appareled. Then he leapt upon the horse 
and thrust him with his spurs, and he sped with 
such magical strides that within an hour he bare 
him four days’ journey, until he came to a rough 
water which roared; and his horse would have 
borne him into it. 

Now when Sir Percivale came near the water 
and saw it so boisterous he doubted if he could 
pass it ; and so he made the sign of the cross upon 
his forehead. At this the horse shook off Sir Per- 
civale and plunged into the mad waves, crying and 
roaring; while a flame a foot long darted from his 
nostrils. Then Sir Percivale said, "God be thanked 
that I am here alive, for I have ridden the foul fiend 
in the image of a horse and scarcely have I escaped 
perdition.” So he commended himself to God 


THE QUEST OF LAUNCELOT AND PERCIVALE 32I 


and prayed him that he would keep him from all 
such temptations ; and thus he prayed all that night 
till it was day. 

And now he saw that he was in a wild place, and 
that it was closed with the sea all about him. And 
as he looked forth over the sea, he saw a ship come 
sailing toward him; and it came and stood still 
under the rock. And when Sir Percivale saw this, 
he hied him thither, and found the ship covered with 
silk ; and therein was a lady of great beauty, clothed 
in richest apparel. And when she saw Sir Perci- 
vale she said, “Who brought you in this wilderness 
where ye be never like to pass hence?” 

Then he told her that he was seeking the best 
knight in the world and she replied that if he would 
do her will, she would bring him to that knight 
whom she had seen chasing two other knights into 
the water while all escaped to the other side. At 
this Sir Percivale was passing glad and he prom- 
ised to do her will if she would keep her word to 
him. Then he asked her of her country and her 
lineage. 

To this she replied, “I am a gentlewoman that 
am disinherited, and was once the richest woman 
in the world.” “Damsel,” said he, “I have great 
sorrow for you, and would know who it was who 
disinherited you.” “Sir,” she said, “ my enemy is 
a great and powerful lord, and aforetime he made 
much of me, so that with his favor and my beauty I 


21 


322 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


had more pride than I ought to have had. I also 
said something with which he was not pleased ; and 
so he has driven me from himself and from my 
heritage. Therefore I meet no good knight or 
good man but I get him on my side if I may. And 
for all I know thou art a good knight and I be- 
seech thee to help me.” 

Then Sir Percivale promised her all the help that 
he might give her, and she thanked him. And as 
the weather was very hot, she called to her a 
maiden and bade her bring forth a pavilion. And 
as she did so and pitched it upon the gravel, she 
said, “Sir, now you may rest yourself in this heat 
of the day.” Then he thanked her, and she put off 
his helm and his shield, and there he slept a great 
while. 

When he awoke he was very hungry, and he 
asked her if she had any meat. And she said, 
“Yea, ye shall have enough.” So she set before 
him on a table all manner of meats that he could 
think of, and also many kinds of things to drink. 
And the wine he drank was the strongest wine he 
ever drank; and therewith he was a little heated, 
more than he ought to be. As he looked upon 
the woman she smiled upon him and he thought 
her the fairest creature he had ever seen. And so 
he proffered her his love, and prayed her that she 
would be his. But she refused him in a manner 
to make him plead more earnestly; and thus he 


THE QUEST OF LAUNCELOT AND PERCIVALE 323 

ceased not to pray her for her love. And when she 
saw him thus ensnared, she said, ^^Sir Percivale, 
know you well I shall not give my love, unless you 
swear from henceforth you will be my true servant 
and do nothing but what I shall command you. 
Will you insure me this, as you are a true knight?” 

To this he answered, ^‘Yea, fair lady, by the faith 
of my body.” As he said this he chanced to cast 
his eyes upon the ground, and there he saw his 
sword in whose pommel was a red cross, and the 
sign of the crucifix thereon. Then he made the 
sign of the cross upon his forehead ; when suddenly 
the pavilion shriveled up, and vanished in smoke 
and cloud. At this the damsel’s smile changed into 
a look of hate, and she cried aloud and hastened 
into the ship, and so she sailed away with the wind 
roaring and yelling that it seemed as if all the water 
burned after her. 

Then Sir Percivale made great sorrow, and took 
up his sword, and said, ‘‘Since my flesh will be my 
master I will punish it.” So he smote himself in 
the thigh with his sword, and said, “O good Lord, 
take this in recompense for what I have done 
against thee, and forgive me my deep transgression, 
I humbly pray thee.” 

As he lay moaning and bleeding, the sea grew 
smooth and he saw coming from the east a ship 
with the good man on board, on beholding whom 
he fell into a swoon. When he awoke he found 


324 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

that his wound had been dressed and the bleeding 
stopped, and that the good man was seated at his 
side. Then the good man said that this seeming 
woman who had deceived him was the master-fiend 
of hell, and that but for the grace of God he would 
have fallen before this champion of evil. With 
these words the good man vanished away and Sir 
Percivale took his arms, and entered into the ship, 
and so departed thence. 


CHAPTER V 


THE QUEST OF SIR BORS 

W HEN Sir Bors left Camelot in search of the 
Holy Grail, as he rode he met a religious 
man riding upon an ass and Sir Bors 
saluted him. “What are ye?’' said the good 
man. “Sir,” he replied, “I am a knight that 
would fain be counselled in quest of the Sangreal ; 
for he shall have great worship that shall find it.” 
“Truly,” said the good man, “for he shall be the 
best knight of the world, and the fairest of all the 
fellowship.” 

So they rode together until they came to a her- 
mitage, and there he prayed Sir Bors to dwell that 
night with him. So Sir Bors alighted and put 
away his armor and prayed him that he might be 
confessed. And they went both into the chapel 
and there Sir Bors was confessed ; and then they ate 
bread and drank water together. “Now,” said the 
good man, “I pray thee that thou eat none other 
till thou sit at the table where the Sangreal shall 
be.” “Sir,” said Sir Bors, “but how know you 

325 


326 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

that I shall sit there?” “Yea,” said the good man, 
“that I know well; but there shall be few of your 
fellows with you.” “All are welcome,” said Sir 
Bors, “that God sendeth me.” And when the 
good man had heard his confession he found him 
so pure in his life that he marveled. 

On the morrow, as soon as the day appeared. Sir 
Bors departed thence and rode into a forest unto 
the hour of midday; and there befell him a mar- 
velous adventure. For he met at the parting of 
two ways, two knights that led Sir Lionel, his 
brother all naked, bound upon a strong hackney, 
and his hands bound before his breast ; and each of 
them held in his hands thorns wherewith they went 
beating him, so that he was all bloody before and 
behind; and he said never a word, but, as he was 
great of heart, he suffered all that they did to him, 
as though he had felt no anguish. 

Seeing this. Sir Bors made ready to rescue his 
brother; but as he looked on the other side of him 
he saw a knight dragging along a fair gentlewoman 
who cried out, “Saint Mary, succor your maid!” 
And when she saw Sir Bors she called to him and 
said, “By the faith that ye owe to knighthood, help 
me I” 

When Sir Bors heard her say this, he had such 
sorrow that he knew not what to do. “For if I let 
my brother be,” he thought, “he must be slain, and 
that I would not for all the earth ; and ifli help not 


THE QUEST OF SIR BORS 


327 


the maid I am shamed forever.’’ Then he lifted 
up his eyes and said weeping, 'Tair lord, whose 
liegeman I am, keep Sir Lionel, my brother, that 
none of these knights slay him, and for pity of you, 
and our Lady’s sake, I shall succor the maid.” Then 
he cried out to the knight, “Sir knight, lay your 
hand off that maid, or else ye be but dead.” Then 
the knight set down the maid, and took his shield 
and drew his sword. And Sir Bors smote him so 
hard, that it went through his shield and haber- 
geon, on the left shoulder, and he fell down to the 
earth. 

Then Sir Bors went to the maid, and said, “Ye 
are delivered of this knight this time.” To which 
she replied, “Now lead me, I pray thee, to the place 
from which this knight took me.” “I shall gladly 
do it,” said Sir Bors. So he took the horse of the 
wounded knight, and set the gentlewoman upon it, 
and brought her where she desired to be. And 
there he found twelve knights seeking after her; 
and when she told them how Sir Bors had delivered 
her, they made great joy, and besought him to 
come to her father, a great lord, and he should be 
right welcome. But Sir Bors answered, “Truly 
that may not be; for I have a great adventure to 
do.” So he commended them to God and de- 
parted. 

Then Sir Bors rode after Sir Lionel, his brother, 
by the trace of their horses ; and thus he rode for a 


328 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


great while. At length he overtook a man clothed 
in a religious garb, who said, “Sir knight, what seek 
ye?’^ “Sir,” said Sir Bors, “I seek my brother that 
I saw within a little while beaten by two knights.” 
“Ah, Sir Bors, trouble not thyself to seek for him, 
for truly he is dead.” 

Then he showed him a newly slain body, lying 
in a bush; and it seemed to him that it was the 
body of Sir Lionel. At this he made such sorrow 
that he fell to the ground in a swoon, and lay there 
a long time. And when he came to himself again, 
he said, “Fair brother, since the fellowship of you 
and me is sundered, I shall never have joy again; 
and now may He that I have taken for my master 
be my help !” And when he had said this he took 
up the body in his arms and put it upon his horse. 
And then he said to the man, “Canst thou tell me 
the way to some chapel where I may bury this 
body?” “Come on,” said the man, “here is one 
near by.” So they rode till they saw a fair tower, 
and beside it a chapel. And there they alighted 
and put the body into a tomb of marble. 

Then Sir Bors commended the good man unto 
God, and departed. And on the morrow he rode 
unto a castle in a valley, and there he met with a 
yeoman. “Tell me,” said Sir Bors, “knowest thou 
of any adventure?” “Sir,” said he, “there is to be 
under this castle a great and marvelous tourna- 
ment.” Then Sir Bors thought to be there, if he 


THE QUEST OF SIR BORS 


329 

might meet with any of the fellowship that were in 
quest of the Sangreal ; so he turned to a hermitage 
that was on the border of the forest. And when 
he was come hither, to his surprise he found there 
Sir Lionel, his brother, who sat all armed at the 
entry of the chapel door. And when Sir Bors saw 
him, he had great joy; and alighting from his horse 
he said, '‘Fair brother, when came ye hither?” 

As soon as Sir Lionel saw him he said, “Ah, Sir 
Bors, make ye no false show, for, as for you, I 
might have been slain, for ye left me in peril of 
death, to go to a gentlewoman; and for that mis- 
deed I now insure you but death, for ye had right 
well deserved it.” When Sir Bors perceived his 
brother’s wrath, he kneeled down to the earth and 
cried him mercy, holding up both his hands, and 
prayed him to forgive him. “Nay,” said Sir 
Lionel, “thou shalt have but death for it, for I have 
the upper hand ; therefore leap upon thy horse and 
keep thyself, and if thou do not, I will run upon thee 
there as thou standest on foot, and so the shame 
shall be mine and the harm thine, but of that I care 
not.” 

When Sir Bors saw that he must fight with his 
brother or else die, he knew not what to do. Then 
his heart counseled him not to fight with hisbrother, 
for as Sir Lionel was his elder brother he ought to 
do him reverence. So he kneeled down before Sir 
Lionel’s horse’s feet, and said, “Fair brother, have 


330 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


mercy upon me, and slay me not, but have in re- 
membrance the great love that should be between 
us.” But Sir Lionel cared not, for the fiend had 
brought him in such a will that he should slay him. 
When he saw that Sir Bors would not rise to give 
him battle, he rushed over him, so that he smote 
him with his horse’s feet to the earth, and hurt him 
sore so that he swooned with distress. When Sir 
Lionel saw this, he alighted from his horse for to 
have smitten off his head; and so he took him by 
the helm, and would have rent it from his head. 

But it happened that Sir Colgrevance, a knight 
of the Round Table, came at that time thither, as it 
was our Lord’s will; and then he beheld how Sir 
Lionel would have slain his brother Sir Bors whom 
he loved so well. Then he leaped down from his 
horse, and took Sir Lionel by the shoulders, and 
drew him back from Sir Bors, and said, ‘^Sir Lionel, 
will ye slay your brother?” “Why,” said Sir 
Lionel, “will ye stay me? If you interfere with me 
I will slay you first, and him after.” 

Then he ran upon Sir Bors and would have smit- 
ten him; but Sir Colgrevance ran between them, 
and said, “If ye persist to dO' so any more, we two 
shall meddle together.” At this Sir Lionel defied 
him and ran upon him, and gave him a great stroke 
through the helm; and Sir Colgrevance drew his 
sword, for he was a passing good knight, and he 
defended himself right manfully. So long endured 


THE QUEST OF SIR BORS 


331 


the battle that Sir Bors came to himself, and beheld 
Sir Colgrevance, the good knight, fighting with his 
brother for his quarrel. Then was he very sad at 
heart, and thought that if Sir Colgrevance slew his 
brother, he should never have joy again, and if his 
brother slew Sir Colgrevance, the shame should 
ever be his. 

Then would he have risen for to have parted 
them, but he had not strength enough to stand 
upon his feet; so he stayed so long that Sir Col- 
grevance had the worse, for Sir Lionel was a knight 
of great prowess. Then cried Sir Colgrevance, 
“Ah, Sir Bors, why come ye not to bring me out 
of peril of death, wherein I have put myself to suc- 
cor you?” 

With that, Sir Lionel smote of¥ his helm, and 
bore him to the earth. And when he had slain Sir 
Colgrevance, he ran upon his brother, moved by 
the spirit of a fiend, and gave him such a stroke as 
made him stoop. “For God’s sake, leave off this 
battle,” cried Sir Bors, “for if it befell, fair brother, 
that I slew ye or ye me, we should both be dead of 
that sin.” “Pray ye not me for mercy,” said Sir 
Lionel. Then Sir Bors all weeping drew his sword 
and said, “Now Go-d have mercy upon me, though 
I defend my life against my brother.” 

With that Sir Bors lifted up his sword, and would 
have stricken his brother. Then he heard a voice 
that said, “Flee, Sir Bors, and touch him not, else 


332 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


thou shall slay him.” At this a cloud fell between 
them from which gleamed a marvelous flame that 
burned their shields. And they both fell to the 
earth and lay there a great while in a swoon. And 
when they came to themselves, Sir Bors saw that 
his brother had no harm; and he was right glad, 
for he dreaded sore that God had taken vengeance 
upon him. Then Sir Lionel said to his brother, 
‘"Brother, forgive me, for God’s sake, all that I 
have trespassed against thee.” And Sir Bors an- 
swered, “God forgive it thee, as I do.” 

With that Sir Bors heard a voice say, “Sir Bors, 
take thy way anon quickly to the sea, for Sir Perci- 
vale abideth thee there.” So Sir Bors departed, 
and rode the nearest way to the sea. And at last 
he came to an abbey that was nigh the sea. That 
night he rested there, and in his sleep there came a 
voice unto him and bade him go to the seashore. 
At this he started up and made a sign of the cross 
upon his forehead, and armed himself, and made 
ready his horse, and mounted him., and at a broken 
wall of the abbey he rode out and came to the sea- 
shore. There he found a ship covered all with 
white samite. As he entered into the ship it set out 
to sea so fast that it seemed to fly ; but it was soon 
so dark that he could see no man, and he laid him 
down and slept till it was day. When he awaked 
he saw in the middle of the ship a knight all armed, 
save his helm. And he knew that it was Sir Perci- 


THE QUEST OF SIR BORS 


333 


vale de Galis, and each made of the other great joy. 
Then they told each other of all their adventures; 
and each comforted the other; and they knelt to- 
gether and were often at their prayers. And Sir 
Percivale said, “Now lack we nothing but the good 
knight Sir Galahad/' 


CHAPTER VI 


THE QUEST OF SIR LAUNCELOT 

N OW when Sir Launcelot came to the water 
of Mortoise he was in great peril, and he 
• laid himself down and fell asleep. And as 
he slept there came a vision to him which said, 
“Arise, Sir Launcelot, and take thy armor and 
enter the first ship that thou shalt find.” As he 
heard these words he started up and took his arms 
and looking toward the sea he beheld a ship that 
was without sail or oars. And so he went within 
the ship, and as soon as he was within he felt the 
most sweetness that he had ever felt. 

Then he prayed, saying, “Fair sweet Father, 
Jesu Christ, I know not in what joy I am, for this 
joy passeth all earthly joys that ever I was in.” 
And so in this joy he laid him down upon the ship’s 
board and slept till day. And there he lived a 
month or more ; and if ye would ask how he lived, 
one would say that He that fed the people of Israel 
with manna in the desert, so he was fed. For every 
day when he said his prayers, he was curtained with 
the grace of the Holy Ghost. 

334 


THE QUEST OF SIR LAUNCELOT 335 

One night he went to sit by the water side, for 
he was somewhat weary of the ship; and then he 
listened and heard a horse come with some one 
riding thereon. And as he came nigh he seemed 
to be a knight; and he left his horse and took the 
saddle and the bridle and followed Sir Launcelot 
into the ship. And then Sir Launcelot addressed 
him and said, “Ye are welcome.” And he answering 
asked Sir Launcelot his name; and when he knew 
it he said, “I am Sir Galahad, and thou art my 
father.” And then he kneeled down and asked 
him for his blessing, and after that took off his helm 
and kissed him. And there was great joy between 
them ; so much so that no tongue can tell all the 
pleasant words that they spake to each other. And 
they told each other all the marvels and adventures 
that had befallen them. 

When Sir Launcelot heard how the marvelous 
sword was gotten, and who made it, he asked his 
son to show him the sword, and so he did. And 
as he looked upon it he kissed the pommel and the 
hilts and the scabbard. And Sir Launcelot said, 
“Never before knew I of so high adventures done 
and so marvelous and strange.” So Sir Launcelot 
and Sir Galahad dwelt in that ship half a year, and 
served God daily and nightly with all their power. 

Now in time as they sailed they arrived at a 
forest ; and as they looked they saw a knight, armed 
all in white, and richly horsed, and leading in his 


33^ THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

right hand a white horse. And he came to the ship 
and saluted the two knights, and said to Sir Gala- 
had, “Sir, ye have been long enough with your 
father; come out of the ship and start upon this 
horse, and go where the adventures shall lead you 
in quest of the Sangreal.’^ Then Sir Galahad went 
to his father, and kissed him tenderly and said, 
“Sweet father, I know not when I shall see you 
more, till I see the body of Jesu Christ.” “I pray 
you,” said Sir Launcelot, “that ye pray to the high 
Father that he hold me in his service.” Then Sir 
Galahad took the horse; and they heard a voice 
saying, “Think to do well, for the one shall never 
see the other again before the dreadful day of 
doom.” And therewith Sir Galahad entered into 
the forest and rode away. 

And now the wind arose and drove Sir Launce- 
lot more than a month over the sea; wherein he 
slept but little, but prayed to God that he might 
see some tidings of the Sangreal. So it befell upon 
a night he arrived before a castle which was very 
rich and fair. And there was a postern that opened 
toward the sea, and was without any keeping, save 
that two lions kept the entry ; and the moon shone 
clear. Anon Sir Launcelot heard a voice that said, 
“Launcelot, go out of this ship and enter into the 
castle, where thou shalt see a great part of thy de- 
sire.”' Then he ran to his arms and armed himself, 
and went to the gate and saw the two lions, at which 


THE QUEST OF SIR LAUNCELOT 337 

he set his hands to his sword and drew it. Then 
there came a dwarf suddenly and smote him on the 
arm so sore that the sword fell out of his hands; 
and he heard a voice say, “O man of evil faith, 
wherefore believeth thou more in thy armor than in 
thy maker?” 

At this Sir Launcelot said, ‘‘Fair Lord, I thank 
thee for thy great mercy, that thou reprovest me 
of my misdeed; now see I well that thou boldest 
me for thy servant.” Then he took his sword and 
put it into its sheath, and made a cross upon his 
forehead, and came to the lions; and they made 
semblance to do him harm, but he passed them by 
unhurt, and entered into the castle, and he found 
no gate or door but it was open. At last he came 
to a chamber whereof the door was shut ; and he set 
his hand thereto to open it, but he could not. Then 
he listened, and heard a voice which sung so sweetly 
that it seemed none earthly thing; and the voice 
said, “Joy and honor be to the Father of Heaven.” 

Then Sir Launcelot kneeled down before the 
chamber, for well he knew that there was the San- 
greal in that chamber. And as he kneeled he said, 
“Fair, sweet Father, Jesu Christ, if ever I did any- 
thing that pleased thee, for thy pity show me some- 
thing of what I seek.” And with that he saw the 
chamber door open, and there came out a great 
clearness that the house was as bright as though 
all the torches in the world had been there. So he 


22 


338 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

came to the chamber door and would have entered ; 
but a voice said unto him, “Stay, Sir Launcelot, 
and enter not.” And he withdrew himself back, 
and was right heavy in his mind. 

Then he looked in the midst of the chamber, and 
saw a table of silver, and the holy vessel, covered 
with red samite, and many angels about it ; whereof 
one held a candle which was burning, and another 
held a cross, and the ornaments of the altar. Then 
for very wonder and thankfulness he entered into 
the chamber and came toward the altar of silver. 
And suddenly a breath that seemed mingled with 
fire smote him so sore in the face, that therewith 
he fell to the ground and had no power to rise. 
And now he felt many hands about him, which took 
him up and bare him out of the chamber, without 
any amending of his swoon, and left him there, 
seeming dead to all the people. So on the morrow, 
when it was fair daylight, and they within were 
risen, they found Sir Launcelot, lying before the 
chamber door. And they looked upon him and felt 
his pulse, to know if there were any life in him. 
And they found life in him, but he could neither 
stand nor stir any member that he had. So they 
took him and bare him, into a chamber, and laid 
him upon a bed, far from all folk ; and there he lay 
four days. Then one said he was alive, and others 
said nay. But an aged man said, “He is as full of 
life as the mightiest of you all, and therefore I coun- 


THE QUEST OF SIR LAUNCELOT 


339 

sel you that he be well kept till God bring him back 
again.” 

And after twenty-four days he opened his eyes; 
and when he saw the folk around him he made 
great sorrow, and said, “Why have ye wakened me? 
for I was better at ease than I am now !” “What 
have ye seen?” said they about him. “I have 
seen,” said he, “great marvels that no tongue can 
tell, and more than any heart can think.” Then 
they said, “Sir, the quest of the Sangreal is achieved 
now in you, and never shall ye see more of it than 
ye have seen.” “I thank God,” said Sir Launce- 
lot, “of his great mercy, for that I have seen, for it 
sufficeth me.” 

Then he rose up and clothed himself ; and when 
he was so arrayed they all marveled, for they knew 
it was Sir Launcelot the good knight. And after 
four days, he took his leave of the lord of the castle, 
and of all the fellowship that was there, and thanked 
them for their great labor and care of him. Then 
he departed and turned to Camelot, where he 
found King Arthur and Queen Guinevere; but 
many of the knights of the Round Table were slain 
and destroyed ; and he told the king all his adven- 
ture and all that had befallen him since he departed. 
And all the court was passing glad to see Sir 
Launcelot; and the king asked him many tidings 
of his son Sir Galahad. Sir Launcelot told him of 
the many adventures of his son, and also of the 


340 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


adventures of Sir Percivale and Sir Bors which he 
learned from a damsel that he had met upon the 
ship. “Now, Heaven would,’’ said the king, “that 
they were all three here.” “That shall never be,” 
said Sir Launcelot, “for two of them shall ye never 
see, and but one of them shall come again.” Thus 
endeth the story of the search of Sir Launcelot for 
the Holy Grail. 


CHAPTER VII 


THE QUEST OF SIR GALAHAD 

N OW Sir Galahad after riding many days came 
to an abbey in which lay King Mordrains 
who had been blind for a long time. And 
when the king knew that it was Sir Galahad he be- 
sought him to embrace him and let him rest upon 
his bosom, for he said, “Thou art pure above all 
knights as is the flower of the lily, and of good vir- 
tue like the color of the rose. And so full of the 
Holy Spirit art thou that my flesh which was dead 
of age hath become young again.” And then he 
prayed that he might depart from this life, and anon 
his prayer was heard, and his soul departed from his 
body; and Sir Galahad put him in the earth as a 
king ought to be. 

Then on he rode until he came to a great forest, 
and there he met Sir Percivale and Sir Bors, and 
each was right glad to see the other. And now 
they three rode together till they came to the castle 
of King Pelles; and King Pelles's son, Eliazar, 
brought them before the broken sword wherewith 

341 


342 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

Joseph was stricken through the thigh. Then Sir 
Bors set his hand thereto, if he might solder it 
again, but he could not do it; so he took it to Sir 
Percivale, but he had no more power thereto than 
Sir Bors. Then Sir Percivale said to Sir Galahad, 
“If any man can mend this sword again ye must do 
it.” And so Sir Galahad took the pieces and set 
them together, and they seemed as if they had never 
been broken. 

Then the three knights parted, and Sir Galahad 
took his way to the sea, and it befell him that he 
was benighted in a hermitage. And the good man 
was glad that he was a knight errant and made him 
right welcome. And when they were at rest there 
came a gentlewoman knocking at the door ; and the 
good man came to the door to know what she 
wanted. Then she said, “I would speak with the 
knight which is with you.” So Sir Galahad went 
to her and asked her what she would. “Sir Gala- 
had,” she said, “I will that you arm yourself, and 
mount your horse, and follow me; for I will show 
you the highest adventure that ever knight saw.” 
Then Sir Galahad armed himself and commended 
himself to God, and bade the damsel go before him, 
and he would follow where she led. 

So she rode as fast as her palfrey might bear her, 
till she came to the sea; and there they found the 
ship wherein were Sir Bors and Sir Percivale. As 
they saw Sir Galahad they cried from the ship say- 


THE QUEST OF SIR GALAHAD 343 

ing, “Sir Galahad, you are welcome ; and we have 
been waiting for thee.” And when he heard them 
he asked the damsel who they were, to which she 
said, “Sir, leave your horse here, and I will leave 
mine, and we will join ourselves to their company.” 
So they entered into the ship, and the two knights 
received them both with great joy. For they knew 
the damsel, as she was Sir Percivale’s sister. 

Then the wind arose and drove them through the 
sea all that day and the next, till the ship arrived 
between two rocks, passing great and marvelous; 
but there they might not land, for there was a whirl- 
pool ; but there was another ship, and upon it they 
might go without danger. “Go we thither,” said 
the gentlewoman, “and there shall we see adven- 
tures, for such is the Lord’s will.” Then Sir Gala- 
had blessed himself and entered therein, and then 
next the gentlewoman and then Sir Bors and Sir 
Percivale. And when they came on board, they 
found there the table of silver, and the Sangreal 
which was covered with red samite. And they 
made great reverence thereto, and Sir Galahad 
prayed a long time to our Lord, that at what time 
he should ask to pass out of this world, he should 
do so. And a voice said to him, “Galahad, thou 
shalt have thy request; and when thou askest the 
death of thy body thou shalt have it, and then thou 
shalt find the life of thy soul.” 

And anon the wind drove them across the sea, till 


344 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


they came to the city of Sarras. Then they took 
out of the ship the table of silver; and Sir Percivale 
and Sir Bors took it before, and Sir Galahad came 
behind, and^ right so they went to the city. And 
at the gate of the city they saw an old man, a crip- 
ple. And Sir Galahad called him, and bade him 
to help bear this heavy thing. “Truly,’’ said the 
old man, “it is ten years since I could not go but 
with crutches.” “Care thou not,” said Sir Galahad, 
“but arise up and show thy good will.” Then the 
old man rose up to aid in carrying the Sangreal, 
and found himself as whole as he ever was; and 
he ran to the table and took one part with Sir 
Galahad. 

When they came to the city it chanced that the 
king was dead, and all the city was dismayed, and 
knew not who might be their king. And as they 
Were in counsel, there came a voice among them, 
and bade them choose the youngest knight of the 
three to be their king. So they made Sir Galahad 
king, by all the assent of the city. And when he 
was made king, he commanded to make a chest 
of gold and of precious stones to hold the vessel. 
And every day the three companions would come 
before it and make their prayers. 

Now at the year’s end, and the same day of the 
year that Sir Galahad received the crown, he got 
up early, and with his fellows came to where the 
holy vessel was ; and they saw one kneeling before 


THE QUEST OF SIR GALAHAD 345 

it that had about him a great fellowship of angels. 
And he called to Sir Galahad and said, ‘‘Come, thou 
servant of the Lord, and thou shalt see what thou 
hast much desired to see.” Then Sir Galahad’s 
mortal flesh trembled right hard when he began to 
behold the spiritual things. And the good man 
said, “Now knowest thou who I am?” “Nay,” 
said Sir Galahad. “I am Joseph of Arimathea, 
whom your Lord hath sent here to thee, to bear 
thee fellowship.” Then Sir Galahad held up his 
hands toward heaven and said, “Now, blessed Lord, 
would I not live longer, if it might please thee.” 
And when he said these words. Sir Galahad went to 
Sir Percivale and Sir Bors, and kissed them, and 
commended them to God. And then he kneeled 
down before the table, and made his prayers, and 
suddenly his soul departed, and a great multitude 
of angels bare his soul up to heaven, so that hrs 
two companions could well behold it. Also they 
saw come down from heaven a hand, but they saw 
not the body; and the hand came right to the ves- 
sel and bare it up to heaven. And since then there 
never has l>een one so hardy as to say that he had 
seen the Sangreal on earth any more. 

When Sir PercivaJe and Sir Bors saw Sir Gala- 
had dead they made as much sorrow as ever did 
two men. And if they had not been good men 
they might have fallen into despair. As soon as 
Sir Galahad was buried Sir Percivale retired to a 


346 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

hermitage out of the city, and took religious 
clothing and Sir Bors was always with him, but 
did not change his secular clothing, because he pur- 
posed to return to the realm of Logris. Thus a 
year and two months Sir Percivale lived in the her- 
mitage a full holy life, and then passed out of the 
world, and Sir Bors buried him by his sister and 
Sir Galahad. 

Then Sir Bors armed himself and departed from 
Sarra, and entered into a ship, and sailed to the 
kingdom of Logris and in due time arrived safe at 
Camelot where the king was. Then there was 
great joy made of him in the whole court, for they 
feared he had been dead. And the king made great 
clerks to come before him, that they should chron- 
icle all the high adventures of the good knights. 
And Sir Bors told him all the adventures of the 
Sangreal that had befallen him and his two com- 
panions, Sir Percivale and Sir Galahad, and Sir 
Launcelot told all the adventures of the Sangreal 
that he had seen. All this was made in great books 
and put up in the church at Salisbury. 

Thus endeth the story of the Holy Grail, which 
is a story chronicled as one of the truest and holiest 
that is in this world. 


THE END OF THE ROUND TABLE 


CHAPTER I 

THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT AND THE 
QUEEN 

A nd now in the month of May there befell a 
. great mishap that stayed not until the flower 
of chivalry of all the world was destroyed. 
The knights who were the cause of this fatal mis- 
chance were Sir Agravaine and Sir Modred who 
were brothers of Sir Gawaine. They had ever had a 
privy hate against the queen, dame Guinevere, and 
Sir Launcelot, and daily and nightly they watched 
them to make some accusation against them. 

Now it happened on a day that Sir Gawaine and 
all his brethren were in King Arthur’s chamber; 
and then Sir Agravaine said openly so that many 
knights might hear, that it was a shame that “Sir 
Launcelot goeth with the queen, and that we should 
be shamed to suffer so noble a king as King Arthur 
is to be so deceived.” Then spoke Sir Gawaine 
and said, “Brother, Sir Agravaine, I pray you and 

347 


348 the story of king ARTHUR 

charge you to move no such matters before me, 
for well you know I will not be of your counsel.” 
“Neither will we,” said Sir Gaheris and Sir Gareth. 
“Then will I,” said Sir Modred. “I doubt not,” 
said Sir Gawaine, “for to all mischief you were ever 
prone ; yet I would that ye left all this, for I know 
what will come of it.” “Fall of it what may,” said 
Sir Agravaine, “I will disclose it to the king.” 

Then Sir Gawaine said, “Brother Sir Agravaine, 
do you not remember how ofttimes Sir Launcelot 
hath rescued the king and the queen, and how he 
rescued both you and Sir Modred from Sir Tur- 
quine? As for me I shall never be against Sir 
Launcelot for he not only made me knight, but 
rescued me from King Carados of the Dolorous 
Tower and slew him and saved my life. Besides 
if war should come between Sir Launcelot and 
King Arthur, know you well that many great kings 
and lords will hold with Sir Launcelot, and this 
realm will be harmed and the noble fellowship of 
the Round Table will be dispersed.” 

As they thus talked King Arthur came and 
asked them what it was they made so much noise 
about. “Now brothers, hold your peace,” said 
Sir Gawaine.' “We yuII not,” said Sir Agravaine. 
Then said Sir Gawaine, “I will not hear your tales 
nor be of your counsel.” “No more will I,” said 
Sir Gareth and Sir Gaheris ; and therewith they de- 
parted, feeling great sorrow. 


THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT 349 

Then Sir Agravaine told the king all that was 
said in the court of the conduct of Sir Launcelot 
and the queen. But the king was loth to believe 
there was any harm, for he held Sir Launcelot to 
be one of the noblest knights of them all. So Sir 
Agravaine laid a plot to entrap Sir Launcelot and 
the queen, with the intent to find some fault against 
them. Sir Agravaine and Sir Modred led a party 
to spy upon the actions of Sir Launcelot and the 
queen, which when Sir Launcelot saw he fell upon 
them and slew Sir Agravaine and wounded Sir 
Modred. Then Sir Launcelot hastened to his 
friends, and told them of the plot against him, and 
he withdrew with them to the forest; but he left 
spies behind to bring him tidings of whatever might 
be done. 

So Sir Launcelot left the court, and then Sir 
Modred tried to poison the mind of the king against 
the queen; and at last he made the king believe 
the queen was at fault. And the law was such in 
those days that for such a fault, of what estate or 
condition soever they were, they must be burned 
to death ; and so it was ordained that Queen Guine- 
vere was to be burnt. Then said King Arthur to 
Sir Gawaine, ‘T pray you make you ready, in your 
best armor, with your brethren. Sir Gaheris and Sir 
Gareth, to bring the queen to the fire, there to re- 
ceive her death.” 

And Sir Gawaine said, '‘Nay, my most noble lord. 


350 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


that will I never do; for know you well that my 
heart will not serve me to see her die, and it shall 
never be said that I was of your counsel in her 
death.” Then the king commanded Sir Gaheris 
and Sir Gareth to be there, and they said, “We will 
be there as ye command us; but it will be sore 
against our will ; and it shall be in peaceable wise, 
bearing no armor upon us.” “Alas,” said Sir Ga- 
waine, “that I should endure to see this doleful 
day.” And he turned and wept bitterly and went 
to his chamber. 

Then the queen was led forth to death, and her 
ghostly father was brought to shrive her, and there 
was weeping and wailing of many lords and ladies. 
And one whom Sir Launcelot had left to espy the 
time went and told Sir Launcelot that the queen 
was led forth to her death. Then Sir Launcelot 
and the knights that were with him came riding 
quickly to the place and fell upon the troop that 
guarded the queen, and slew many of them and put 
the rest to flight. And in the confusion Sir Ga- 
reth and Sir Gaheris were slain, for they were un- 
armed and defenceless. Then Sir Launcelot rode 
straight to the queen and placed her on his horse 
and brought her to his castle La Joyeuse Garde. 

Then there came one to Sir Gawaine and told 
him how Sir Launcelot had slain the knights and 
carried away the queen. And Sir Gawaine was glad 
that the queen was saved and said, “I knew full well 
















THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT 35 1 

that Sir Launcelot would rescue her or would die 
in the field ; and indeed I would have done it myself 
had I stood in his case.’^ But when they told him 
that Sir Launcelot had slain his brothers, Sir Gareth 
and Sir Gaheris, he was stricken to his heart and 
said, '‘Alas, now is my joy gone forever.” And 
then he fell down and swooned, and long he lay 
there as he had been dead. 

And when he arose out of his swoon, Sir Ga- 
waine ran to the king, crying, “O King Arthur, 
mine uncle, my brothers are slain, Sir Gareth and 
Sir Gaheris, who were two noble knights.” Then 
the king wept and so did Sir Gawaine. And when 
they told him that Sir Launcelot had slain them, 
he said, “My king, my lord, and mine uncle; bear 
witness now that I make you a promise that I shall 
hold by my knighthood, that from this day I will 
never fail Sir Launcelot until one of us has slain 
the other. I will seek Sir Launcelot throughout 
seven kings’ realms, but I shall slay him or he shall 
slay me.” “Ye shall not need to seek him,” said 
the king, “for as I hear Sir Launcelot will abide 
me and you in the Joyeuse Garde; and much people 
draweth unto him, as I hear say.” “That may I 
believe,” said Sir Gawaine ; “but, my lord, summon 
your friends and I will summon mine.” “It shall 
be done,” said the king. 

So the king sent letters and writs throughout all 
England to summon all the knights, who came in 


352 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


great numbers, — knights, dukes, and earls, — so that 
he had a great host. And when they were as- 
sembled King Arthur informed them all how Sir 
Launcelot had bereft him of his queen. Then they 
all made ready to lay siege to Sir Launcelot where 
he lay within Joyeuse Garde. Now when Sir 
Launcelot heard of it he called his warriors to- 
gether, and many good knights held with him, both 
for his sake and the sake of the queen. But King 
Arthur’s host was so large that Sir Launcelot would 
not abide it in the field ; and indeed he was full loth 
to do battle against the king. So Sir Launcelot 
drew himself and his forces into his strong castle in 
which he gathered all manner of provisions. Then 
came King Arthur with Sir Gawaine and a mighty 
host, and laid siege all about La Joyeuse Garde, 
both the town and the castle ; but in no wise would 
Sir Launcelot ride out of his castle, neither suffer 
any of his knights to issue out, until many weeks 
were past. 

Then it befell upon a day in harvest time, Sir 
Launcelot looked over the wall and spake aloud to 
King Arthur and Sir Gawaine, '‘My lords both, it 
is in vain that ye make this siege, for here ye shall 
win no worship, but only dishonor; for if I list to 
come out with my good knights, I shall soon make 
an end of this war.” "Come forth, if thou darest,” 
said King Arthur, "and I promise thee that I shall 
meet thee in the midst of the field.” 


THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT 353 

‘‘God forbid/’ said Sir Launcelot, “that I should 
encounter with the most noble king that made me 
a knight.” “Fie upon thy fair language,” said the 
king, “for know thou well that I am thy mortal foe, 
and ever will be to my dying day, since you, like a 
traitor, have robbed me of my queen.” “As for 
that,” said Sir Launcelot, “there is no knight under 
heaven that dare make it good that ever I was 
traitor to your person; and as for my lady the 
queen, I will make answer and will prove it on any 
knight except you and Sir Gawaine, that she is a 
true lady unto you as any is living unto her lord. 
And if she chooses to hold me in high regard it is 
because you have ofttimes consented that she 
should be burned and then it was my good fortune 
to do battle for her; and you yourself have loved me 
and thanked me that I saved your queen from the 
fire. Therefore, my good and gracious lord, take 
your queen with your good grace, for she is both 
fair, true, and good.” 

And now it is said that King Arthur would have 
taken his queen again and been accorded with Sir 
Launcelot, but Sir Gawaine would not suffer him 
to do so. With bitter hate towards Sir Launcelot 
he said, “False, recreant knight, I let thee know 
that my lord and uncle. King Arthur, shall have 
his queen and thee, and slay you both if it please 
him. And besides that, what right had ye to slay 
my brother Sir Gaheris, who bore no arms against 


23 


354 the story of king Arthur 

thee, and Sir Gareth whom thou madest knight, 
and who loved thee more than all my kin?” 

“As for that,” said Sir Launcelot, “by the faith 
I owe to knighthood I would as soon have slain 
my nephew. Sir Bors, at that time ; but alas it was 
that I did not see them and did not intend to slay 
them.” “Thou liest, recreant knight,” said Sir 
Gawaine, “for thou slewest them in despite of me; 
and therefore know thou well I shall make war 
upon thee all the while that I may live.” 

When Sir Bors and Sir Ector de Maris and Sir 
Lionel heard this outcry, they called to them Sir 
Palamides and Sir Safere his brother, and Sir La- 
vaine, with many more, and all went to Sir Launce- 
lot. And they said, “My lord, Sir Launcelot, we 
pray you, if you will have our service, keep us no 
longer in these walls, for know well that all your 
fair speech and forbearance will not avail you. Let 
us ride into the field and do battle with them.” 
“Alas,” said Sir Launcelot, “to ride forth and do 
battle I am full loth.” 

Then Sir Launcelot called unto King Arthur and 
Sir Gawaine, and said, “My lords, since I am com- 
pelled to ride forth into the field, I pray you that 
neither King Arthur nor Sir Gawaine shall come 
into the field.” But Sir Gawaine replied, “This is 
the king’s quarrel to fight about the queen, and it 
is my quarrel because of the death of Sir Gareth.” 

Then Sir Launcelot made ready to come out of 


THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT 355 

the castle in good array and the king’s forces made 
ready to meet them. Now Sir Launcelot charged 
all his knights to save King Arthur and Sir Ga- 
waine. As the hosts approached each other, Sir 
Gawaine came forth and offered combat and Sir 
Lionel encountered him and Sir Gawaine smote 
Sir Lionel through the body that he fell to the earth 
as if dead. Then began a great conflict, and many 
knights were slain ; but ever Sir Launcelot did what 
he could to save the people of King Arthur’s party ; 
and ever King Arthur followed Sir Launcelot to 
glay him but Sir Launcelot suffered him and would 
not strike again. 

Then Sir Bors encountered King Arthur, and 
smote him down, and then alighted from his horse 
and drew his sword, and said to Sir Launcelot, 
“Shall I make an end of this war?” for he meant to 
have slain King Arthur. “Not so,” said Sir 
Launcelot, “touch him no more, for I will never see 
that most noble king that made me knight either 
slain or shamed.” And therewith Sir Launcelot 
alighted from his horse, and took up the king and 
placed him on his horse, and said, “My lord. King 
Arthur, for Heaven’s sake, cease this strife.” And 
King Arthur looked upon Sir Launcelot, and the 
tears burst from his eyes, thinking on the great 
courtesy that was in Sir Launcelot more than in 
any other man ; and therewith the king rode away, 
saying, “Alas, that ever this war began.” 


35^ THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

Then anon both parties withdrew to seek repose 
and bring in their dead and tend the wounded. 
And on the morrow they began again and Sir Ga- 
waine and Sir Bors were both severely wounded, 
and many knights were slain. Sir Launcelot 
would not exert himself against the king but when 
his nephew Sir Bors was wounded he fell upon the 
knights, slaying many and driving them from the 
field. And now as the war went on, it was noised 
abroad through all Christendom, and at last it was 
told before the Pope ; and he, considering the great 
goodness of King Arthur and Sir Launcelot, called 
unto him a noble clerk, which was the Bishop of 
Rochester, who was then in his dominions, and sent 
him to King Arthur, charging him that he take his 
queen. Dame Guinevere, to himself again, and 
make peace with Sir Launcelot. 

Then Sir Launcelot brought the queen to King 
Arthur and said, “My noble king, I have brought 
to. you my lady, the queen, by the Pope's command- 
ment, as right requireth; and here I say that if there 
be any knight, of whatsoever degree, except your- 
self, that will dare to say that she is not true to you, 
I will make good upon his body that she is a true 
lady unto her lord, and that those who say otherwise 
are liars and have brought this wrong between you 
and me. And know you, my lord and most noble 
king, that many times she hath been put to great 
wrong, and it hath pleased you that I should fight 


THE PLOT AGAINST SIR LAUNCELOT 357 

for her and rescue her. And I have done many 
things for you and Sir Gawaine, and now I pray 
you that I may have my Lord Arthur’s good 
grace.” 

But Sir Gawaine would not listen to these words 
but said that Sir Launcelot had been a traitor to the 
king and must leave the realm. At this Sir Launce- 
lot sighed, and tears fell on his cheeks, and he said, 
''Alas, most noble Christian realm, which I have 
loved above all other realms, and in which I have 
gotten a great part of my worship, that I must de- 
part from thee in this wise.” Then he kissed the 
queen and brought her to the king and said, "Now 
let see whether any one in this place dare say the 
queen is not true unto my lord Arthur; let him 
speak if he dare.” And then he took his leave and 
departed; and there was neither king, duke nor 
earl, baron nor knight, lady nor gentleman, that did 
not weep as if they were out of their mind, except 
Sir Gawaine. And when Sir Launcelot took his 
horse to ride away again there was sobbing and 
weeping for sorrow at his departure. And thus Sir 
Launcelot left the court forever; and many of the 
noblest knights for the love they bore him went 
with him. 

And so it was that King Arthur received 
back the queen, and Sir Launcelot departed from 
the kingdom with all his knights, and went to his 
own country. So they shipped at Cardiff and 


358 THE STORY OF KI^STG ARTHUR 

sailed unto Benvvick, which some men call Bay- 
onne, though indeed it was France, for Sir Launce- 
lot and his nephew were lords of all France. And 
all the people of these lands came to Sir Launcelot, 
and received him home right joyfully. And Sir 
Launcelot established and adorned all his castles 
and towns, and greatly advanced all his noble 
knights, — Sir Lionel and Sir Bors and Sir Ector 
de Maris, Sir Blamor, and Sir Lavaine, and many 
others, — and made them lords of lands and castles, 
till he left himself no more than any one of them. 


CHAPTER II 


KING ARTHUR AGAIN ATTACKS SIR LAUNCELOT 

N OW when a year had passed King Arthur and 
Sir Gawaine made ready a great host to 
invade the country of Sir Launcelot. So 
they shipped at Cardiff and came across the sea and 
landed upon Sir Launcelot’s lands and burnt and 
wasted, through the vengeance of Sir Gawaine, all 
that they might overrun. Then word came to Sir 
Launcelot that King Arthur and Sir Gawaine had 
landed upon his shores and were wasting his lands. 
Sir Bors said unto him, “My lord. Sir Launcelot, 
give us leave to meet them in the field, and we shall 
make them rue the time they ever came into this 
country.” And so advised him many other noble 
knights. 

To this Sir Launcelot replied, “I am full loth to 
ride out with my knights for the shedding of Chris- 
tian blood ; so we will keep our wall awhile, and I 
will send a messenger unto my lord Arthur to pro- 
pose a treaty for better is peace than war.” So 
Launcelot sent forth a damsel, and a dwarf with her, 
359 


360 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

to request King Arthur to leave his warring upon 
Sir Launcelot’s lands. And when the damsel came 
to the pavilion of King Arthur she alighted, and 
there met her a gentle knight, Sir Lucan the butler, 
and said, “Fair damsel, come ye from Sir Launce- 
lot du Lake?” 

“Yes, sir,” she said, “I come hither to speak to 
the king.” “Alas !” said Sir Lucan, “my lord 
Arthur would be reconciled to Sir Launcelot but 
Sir Gawaine will not suffer him.” With this Sir 
Lucan led the damsel to the king, where he sat with 
Sir Gawaine, to hear what she would say. 

Now when the damsel had told her tale, the tears 
ran out of the king’s eyes; and all the lords were 
forward to advise the king to be accorded with Sir 
Launcelot, except Sir Gawaine, who said, “My 
lord, mine uncle, what will ye do? Will ye now 
turn back, now that you are so far advanced upon 
your journey? If ye do, all the world will speak 
shame of you.” “Nay,” said King Arthur, “I will 
do as ye advise me; but do thou give the damsel 
her answer, for I may not speak to her for pity.” 

Then said Sir Gawaine, “Damsel, say ye to Sir 
Launcelot, that it is waste labor to sue mine uncle 
for peace; and say that I, Sir Gawaine, send him 
word that I promise him, by the faith I owe unto 
Heaven and knighthood, I shall never leave him till 
he has slain me or I have slain him.” So the damsel 
returned to Sir Launcelot ; and when he heard the 


KING ARTHUR ATTACKS SIR LAUNCELOT 361 

answer he was so deeply grieved that the tears ran 
down his cheeks. 

Then his noble knights gathered about him and 
urged that they go forth to battle with the king. 
But Sir Launcelot said, “That may be lightly done, 
but I was never so loth to do battle, and therefore 
I pray you as ye love me that ye be ruled as I will 
have you, for I will always flee from that noble 
king who made me a knight.” To this the knights 
were silent and soon withdrew to rest. 

On the morrow early at the dawning of the day 
the army of King Arthur besieged the town and set 
up ladders to climb upon the walls. And the men 
of Sir Launcelot beat them backward and drove 
them from the walls. Then came Sir Gawaine 
riding before the gates, well armed, and cried with 
a loud voice, “Where art thou now, thou false 
traitor. Sir Launcelot? Why hidest thou thyself 
within holes and walls like a coward? Look out 
now, thou traitor knight, and I will avenge upon 
thy body the death of my three brethren.” 

All this language Sir Launcelot heard and the 
knights who were with him ; and they said to him, 
“Sir Launcelot, now must you defend yourself like 
a knight, or else be shamed forever, for you have 
slept overlong and suft’ered overmuch.” Then Sir 
Launcelot spake on high to King Arthur, and said, 
“My lord Arthur, now I have forborne long, and 
suffered you and Sir Gawaine to do what you 


362 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


would; and now must I defend myself, since Sir 
Gawaine hath accused me of treason.’' Then Sir 
Launcelot armed himself and mounted upon his 
horse, and the noble knights with him, and came 
out of the city; and the host without stood all 
apart; and so the covenant was made that no man 
should come near the two knights, nor deal with 
them, till one was dead or yielded. 

Then Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine departed a 
great way asunder, and then rode together with all 
their horses’ might, and each smote the other in 
the middle of their shield but neither of them was 
unhorsed, though their horses fell to the earth. 
Then they leaped from their horses and drew their 
swords and gave may sad strokes, so that the 
blood burst out in many places. Now Sir Gawaine 
had this gift from a holy man that every day, from 
morning until noon, his strength was increased 
threefold, and then it fell again to its natural meas- 
ure. Sir Launcelot was aware of this, and there- 
fore during the three hours that Sir Gawaine’s 
strength was at its height. Sir Launcelot covered 
himself with his shield, and kept his strength in re- 
serve. And during this time Sir Gawaine gave him 
many sad strokes and all the knights that looked 
marveled how Sir Launcelot could endure them. 
Then, as it was past noon, Sir Gawaine had only 
his own might; and now Sir Launcelot stretched 
himself up and doubled his strokes and gave Sir 


KING ARTHUR ATTACKS SIR LAUNCELOT 363 

Gawaine such a buffet that he fell down on his side ; 
and Sir Launcelot drew back and would strike him 
no more. 

At this Sir Gawaine cried out, “Why withdrawest 
thou, false traitor? Now turn again and slay me, 
for if you leave me thus, when I am whole again, 
I shall do battle with thee again.” To this Sir 
Launcelot replied, “I shall endure you again, by 
God’s grace; but know you well. Sir Gawaine, that 
I will never smite a fallen knight.” And so Sir 
Launcelot went into the city, and Sir Gawaine was 
borne into King Arthur’s pavilion, and his wounds 
were looked after, and salved with soft ointments. 
And King Arthur fell sick with sorrow at the hurt 
of Sir Gawaine and at the war betwixt himself and 
Sir Launcelot. 

Thus the siege endured and Sir Gawaine lay help- 
less a month and then met Sir Launcelot again in 
the same way as before, and with the same result. 
And now as he was recovering from his overthrow, 
there came tidings unto King Arthur that made 
him return with all his hosts to England. 


CHAPTER III 


THE DEATH OF KING ARTHUR 

W HEN King Arthur crossed the sea to make 
war against Sir Launcelot he left Sir Mod- 
red, his nephew, ruler of England. Now 
Sir Modred proved a traitor to his trust and caused 
letters to be written, as if from beyond the sea, say- 
ing that King Arthur was slain in battle. So he 
called a Parliament, and made himself to be 
crowned king; and he took the queen Guinevere 
and said plainly that he would wed her. At this 
the queen was filled with horror; but she durst not 
discover her heart, and so spake fair and seemed to 
agree with Sir Modred’s will. And when the time 
of the wedding was set, she besought him that she 
might go to London to buy such things as were 
needed for the wedding. To this Lord Modred 
gave assent ; but as soon as she came to the city she 
took the tower of London, and filled it with all man- 
ner of victuals and garrisoned it with men. 

Now when Sir Modred saw that his purpose was 
foiled by the queen, he was very wroth, and he went 

364 


THE DEATH OF KING ARTHUR 


365 


and laid siege to the tower, and made a great as- 
sault upon it; but all would not avail him. Then 
he besought the queen with soft words and fair let- 
ters and tender songs to come forth and be his wife ; 
but all availed not, for she said that she would 
rather slay herself than be married with him. 

And the tidings came to Sir Modred that King 
Arthur had raised the siege of Sir Launcelot and 
was coming home. Then Sir Modred gathered all 
the barons of the land and poisoned their minds 
against King Arthur; and so they resolved that 
they would abide by Sir Modred, for better or for 
worse, and aid him to oppose King Arthur. And 
so Sir Modred drew a great host to Dover, for there 
he heard say that King Arthur would arrive. 

And as Sir Modred was at Dover with his army. 
King Arthur came with a great number of ships 
and galleys, and there was Sir Modred awaiting to 
prevent his own uncle from coming to the land 
over which he was king. Then there was launch- 
ing of great boats and small, full of noble men of 
arms, and there was much slaughter of gentle 
knights on both sides. But King Arthur and his 
knights were so brave that they could not be kept 
from the shores ; and so they landed and drove Sir 
Modred aback so that he fled and all his people. 

When the battle was over, King Arthur com- 
manded that they should bury his people that were 
dead. And then was Sir Gawaine found in a great 


366 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

boat, lying more than half dead. And King Arthur 
went to him and made great sorrow for him out of 
measure. ‘‘Mine uncle,” said Sir Gawaine, '‘know 
thou well that my death day is come, and all is 
through mine own hastiness and wilfulness, for I 
am smitten upon the old wound which Sir Launce- 
lot gave me, of the which I feel that I must die. 
And had Sir Launcelot been with you as of old, this 
war had never been, and of all this I am the cause.” 

Then Sir Gawaine prayed the king to send for Sir 
Launcelot, and to cherish him above all other 
knights. And he called for paper and ink and 
wrote a letter to Sir Launcelot saying, “The flower 
of all noble knights that ever I heard of, or saw in 
my days, I send thee greeting, and as I am come 
to my death by being smitten in the wound that 
thou gavest me, I beseech thee to return again 
unto this realm and see my tomb, and pray some 
prayers for my soul. And for the love that ever 
was betwixt us, make no tarrying but come over the 
sea with all haste, that thou mayest with thy noble 
knights rescue the noble king that made thee 
knight, even my lord King Arthur, for he is beset 
by a false traitor that is my half brother. Sir Mod- 
red.” 

Then Sir Gawaine wept and King Arthur wept 
with him, and so sore were their hearts that they 
both swooned. And when they awaked. Sir Ga- 
waine prayed the king to send for Sir Launcelot 


THE DEATH OF KING ARTHUR 367 

and to cherish him above all other knights. And 
then, just at the hour of noon, Sir Gawaine yielded 
up his spirit; and the king had him buried in a 
chapel within Dover Castle ; and there all men may 
see the skull of him, and the same wound is seen 
that Sir Launcelot gave him in battle. 

Then it was told the king that Sir Modred had 
pitched his camp upon Barrendown; and the king 
rode thither, and there was a great battle betwixt 
them, and King Arthur’s party stood best, and Sir 
Modred and his party fled unto Canterbury. 

Soon after a day was fixed by King Arthur and 
Sir Modred that they should meet upon a down 
near Salisbury, not far from the sea-side, and there 
do battle again. And at night, as the king slept, he 
dreamed a wonderful dream. It seemed to him that 
there came to him Sir Gawaine and a number of 
fair ladies with him. And when King Arthur saw 
him he said, “Welcome, my sister’s son, I thought 
that thou wast dead and now I see thee alive and 
great is my joy. But O, fair nephew, who are these 
ladies that are come with thee?” 

“Sir,” said Gawaine, “all these are ladies for 
whom I have fought when I was a living man ; and 
because I did battle for them in a righteous quarrel, 
they have given me grace to bring me hither unto 
you, to warn you of your death, if ye fight to- 
morrow with Sir Modred. Therefore, make you a 
treaty and arrange for a month’s delay, for within 


368 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

a month Sir Launcelot will come with all his noble 
knights and rescue you full worshipfully and slay 
Sir Modred and all that hold with him” And 
then Sir Gawaine and all the ladies vanished. 

And anon the king called to fetch his noble lords 
and wise bishops unto him. And when they were 
come, the king told them of his vision, and what Sir 
Gawaine had said to him. Then the king sent Sir 
Lucan and Sir Bedivere, with two bishops, and 
charged them in any wise to make a treaty for a 
month and a day with Sir Modred. So they de- 
parted and came to Sir Modred and told him the 
desire of the king; and at last Sir Modred was 
agreed to have Cornwall and Kent during King 
Arthur’s life, and all of England after his death. 

Then it was agreed that King Arthur and Sir 
Modred should meet betwixt both their hosts and 
each of them should bring fourteen persons, and 
then and there should sign the treaty. And when 
King Arthur was prepared to go forth, he warned 
all his host, ‘Tf so be, ye see any sword drawn, look 
ye come on fiercely, and slay whomsoever with- 
standeth, for I in no wise trust that traitor. Sir 
Modred.” In likewise Sir Modred warned his 
host. 

So they met, and were agreed, and accorded in 
all respects. Then wine was brought and they 
drank, pledging their faith to keep the compact. 
Just then there came an adder out of a little heath 


The death of king Arthur 369 

bush and stung a knight on the foot. And when 
the knight felt himself stung he looked down and 
saw the adder, and then he drew his sword to slay 
the adder, and thought of no other harm. Now 
when the host on both sides saw that sword drawn, 
they blew trumpets and horns, and shouted aloud. 
And King Arthur took his horse, and rode to his 
party, saying, ''Alas, this unhappy day !” And Sir 
Modred did likewise; and never was there seen a 
more doleful battle in Christian land. And ever 
King Arthur rode throughout the battle and did 
full nobly, as a worthy knight should ; and Sir Mod- 
red did his devoir, and put himself in great peril. 

And thus they fought all day long, till the most 
of all the noble knights lay dead upon the ground. 
Then the king looked about him, and saw of all his 
good knights none were left but Sir Lucan and his 
brother. Sir Bevidere ; and they were sore wounded. 
And as he saw them he said, "Alas, that I ever 
should see this doleful day. For now I am come to 
mine end. But would to God that I knew where 
was that traitor Sir Modred that hath caused all 
this mischief!” 

At this King Arthur saw where Sir Modred stood 
leaning upon his sword among a great heap of dead 
men. "Now give me my spear,” said Arthur unto 
Sir Lucan, "for yonder I spy the traitor that hath 
caused all this woe.” "Sir, let him be,” said Sir 
Lucan, "for if ye pass this unhappy day, ye shall 


370 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


be right well revenged upon him. Remember what 
the spirit of Sir Gawaine told you, and leave off 
now, for ye have now the field ; and if ye leave off 
now this evil day of destiny is past.” 

“Betide me life, betide me death,” said King 
Arthur, “he shall not now escape my hands.” Then 
the king took his spear in both hands, and ran to- 
wards Sir Modred, crying, “Traitor, now is thy 
death-day come.” And then King Arthur smote 
Sir Modred under his shield with his spear through 
the body. And when Sir Modred felt that he had 
his death wound, taking his sword in both hands he 
smote King Arthur with all his might on the side of 
the head, so that the sword pierced the helmet and 
the brain-pan ; and then Sir Modred fell stark dead 
upon the earth. And the noble King Arthur fell in 
a swoon to the earth. 

Then Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere raised him up, 
and gently led him betwixt them both to a little 
chapel not far from the sea-side. And when the 
king was there he thought himself well eased. 
Then they heard people crying in the field ; and Sir 
Lucan went to see what the cry meant and he saw 
by the moonlight that robbers were come to rob 
the dead. And he returned and said to the king, 
“By my advice, it is best that we bring you to some 
town.” “I would it were so,” said the king. And 
when the king tried to go he fainted. 

Then Sir Lucan took up the king on the one 


THE DEATH OF KING ARTHUR 37 1 

part, and Sir Bedivere on the other part ; and in the 
lifting Sir Lucan fell in a swoon to the earth, for 
he was grievously wounded; and therewith the 
noble knight’s heart burst. And when the king 
awoke he beheld Sir Lucan, how he lay foaming 
at the mouth, and speechless. “Alas,” said the 
king, “this is to me a full heavy sight, to see this 
noble duke so die for my sake; for he would have 
holpen me that had more need of help than I ; and 
he would not complain, his heart was so set to help 
me.” 

Then as Sir Bedivere wept for his brother, the 
king said, “Leave this mourning and weeping, for 
know thou well, if I might live myself, the death of 
Sir Lucan would grieve me evermore ; but my time 
hieth fast. Therefore,” said Arthur to Sir Bedi- 
vere, “take thou Excalibur, my good sword, and go 
with it to yonder water-side ; and when thou comest 
there I charge thee throw my sword into the water, 
and come again and tell me what thou seest.” 

“My lord,” said Sir Bedivere, “your command- 
ment shall be done.” So Sir Bedivere departed, 
and by the way he beheld that noble sword, that 
the pommel and the haft were all of precious stones ; 
and then he said to himself, “If I throw this rich 
sword into the water, no good shall come thereof, 
but only harm and loss.” And then Sir Bedivere 
hid Excalibur under a tree. And when he re- 
turned to the king, the king said, “What sawest 


372 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

thou there?” “Sir,” answered the knight, “I saw 
nothing but the waves and wind.” “Alas,” said 
the king, “thou hast deceived me. Go thou lightly 
again, and as thou love me, spare not to throw it 
in.” Then Sir Bedivere went again and took the 
sword in his hand to throw it; but again it seemed 
to him but sin and shame to throw away that noble 
sword, and he hid it away again, and returned and 
told the king he had done his commandment. 

“What sawest thou there?” said the king. “Sir,” 
he answered, “I saw nothing but water deep and 
waves wan.” “Ah, traitor untrue,” said King 
Arthur, “now hast thou betrayed me twice. And 
yet thou art named a noble knight and hast been 
near and dear to me. But now go again, and do as 
I bid thee, for thy long tarrying putteth me in 
jeopardy of my life.” Then Sir Bedivere went to 
the sword, and lightly took it up, and went to the 
water-side ; and he bound the girdle about the hilt, 
and then threw the sword as far into the water as 
he might. And lo, there came up an arm and a 
hand out of the water, and met it, and caught it, 
and shook it thrice, and brandished it; and then 
the hand vanished away with the sword in the 
water. 

Then Sir Bedivere came again to the king, and 
told him what he had seen. “Help me hence,” 
said the king, “for I fear I have tarried too long.” 
Then Sir Bedivere took the king upon his back, 










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THE DEATH OF KING ARTHUR 373 

and so went with him to the water-side; and when 
they came there, even fast by the bank there 
rode a little barge with many fair ladies in it, and 
among them was a queen; and all had on black 
hoods, and they wept and shrieked when they saw 
King Arthur. 

“Now put me in the barge,” said the king. And 
there received him three queens with great mourn- 
ing, and in one of their laps King Arthur laid his 
head. And the queen said, “Ah, dear brother, why 
have ye tarried so long? Alas, this wound in your 
head hath caught overmuch cold.” And then they 
rode from the land, and Sir Bedivere beheld them 
go from him. Then he cried, “Ah, my lord Arthur, 
ye leave me here alone among my enemies !” 
“Comfort thyself,” said the king, “for in me is not 
farther help ; for I go to the vale of Avalon, to heal 
me of my grievous wound ; and if thou never hear of 
me again, pray for my soul.” And as soon as Sir 
Bedivere had lost sight of the barge, he wept and 
wailed aloud ; and then took to the forest, and went 
all that night, and in the morning he was aware 
of a chapel and a hermitage. 

Then went Sir Bedivere thither; and when he 
came to the chapel, he saw where lay a hermit on 
the ground near a tomb that was newly graven. 
“Sir,” said Sir Bedivere, “what man is there buried 
that ye pray so near unto?” “Fair son,” said the 
hermit, “I know not verily. But this night there 


374 


THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 


came a number of ladies and brought hither one 
dead and prayed me to bury him. “Alas,” said Sir 
Bedivere, “that was my good lord King Arthur!” 
Then Sir Bedivere swooned by the side of the tomb ; 
and when he awoke he prayed the hermit that he 
might abide with him, to live with fasting and 
prayers. “You are welcome,” said the hermit. 
So there abode Sir Bedivere with the hermit; and 
he put on poor clothes, and he served the hermit 
full lowly in fasting and in prayers. 

Thus they tell us of King Arthur that he was led 
away in a ship wherein were three queens ; the one 
was King Arthur’s sister. Queen Morgan le Fay; 
the other was Viviane, the Lady of the Lake ; and 
the third was the Queen of Northgalis. Yet some 
men say that King Arthur is not dead, but hid away 
in another place; and men say that he shall come 
again and reign over England. But many say that 
there is written over his tomb this verse, 

“hic jacet arthurus, rex quondam, 

REX QUE FUTURUS.” 

“Here Arthur lies, king once, and king to be.” 

And when Queen Guinevere heard that King 
Arthur was slain, and all the noble knights with 
him, she stole away, and five ladies with her; and 
she went to Almesbury, and made herself a nun. 


THE DEATH OF KING ARTHUR 


375 


and wore white clothes and black, and took great 
penance as ever did a sinful lady, and lived in fast- 
ing, prayers, and almsdeeds. And there she 
became the abbess and ruler of the nuns and 
lived a sweet and holy life, loved by all who knew 
her. 


CHAPTER IV 


THE DEATHS OF QUEEN GUINEVERE AND SIR 
LAUNCELOT 

N OW when Sir Launcelot heard in his country 
that Sir Modred was crowned king of Eng- 
land and had made war against his uncle, 
King Arthur, then was Sir Launcelot wroth without 
measure; and he said to his kinsmen, “Alas, the 
double traitor. Sir Modred; now it repenteth me 
that ever he escaped out of my hands.” Then Sir 
Launcelot and his fellows made ready in all haste, 
with ships and galleys, to pass to England ; and so 
he hurried over till he came to Dover, and there he 
landed with a great army. 

And there Sir Launcelot was told that King 
Arthur was slain. “Alas,” said Sir Launcelot, “this 
is the heaviest tidings that ever came to me.” Then 
he called together the kings, dukes, barons, and 
knights, and said to them, “My fair lords, I thank 
you all for coming into this country with me, but 
we are come too late, and that shall repent me while 
I live. But since it is so,” said Sir Launcelot, 

376 


THE DEATH OF QUEEN GUINEVERE 377 

will myself ride and seek my lady, Queen Guine- 
vere, for I have heard that she hath fled into the 
west. Therefore ye shall abide me here fifteen days, 
and if I come not within that time, then take your 
ships and your host and depart from this country.” 

So Sir Launcelot departed and rode westerly; 
and there he sought many days for the queen. At 
last he came to a nunnery, and was seen by Queen 
Guinevere as he walked in the cloister; and when 
she saw him she swooned away. And when Sir 
Launcelot was brought to her she said, “Sir 
Launcelot, I require thee and beseech thee, for all 
the love that ever was betwixt us, that thou never 
see me more, but return to thy kingdom and take 
thee a wife, and live with her in joy and bliss ; and 
pray for me to my Lord, that I may get my soul’s 
health.” 

“Nay, madam,” said Sir Launcelot, “know you 
well that what you say I shall never do; but the 
same destiny that you have taken that will I also 
take, for to please and serve God. For I take 
record of Heaven that in thee I have found earthly 
joy; and if I had found you now so disposed I would 
have taken you to my own realm to be my queen. 
But since I find you otherwise disposed, I assure 
you faithfully I will ever take to penance and 
prayers while my life lasteth, if that I can find any 
hermit that will receive me.” And so they parted, 
with tears and much lamentation; and the ladies 


378 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

bore the queen to her chamber and Sir Launcelot 
took his horse and rode away, weeping. 

And he rode all that day and all that night 
through the forest and at last he was aware of a 
hermitage and a chapel. Then he heard a little 
bell ring to mass and thither he rode and alighted 
and tied his horse to the gate and heard mass. 
And he that sang the mass was the hermit with 
whom Sir Bedivere had taken up his abode ; and Sir 
Bedivere knew Sir Launcelot, and they spake to- 
gether after mass. But when Sir Bedivere had told 
his tale. Sir Launcelot’s heart almost burst for sor- 
row. Then he kneeled down and prayed the her- 
mit to shrive him, and besought that he might be 
his brother. And the hermit said, ‘T will gladly 
and then he put a habit upon Sir Launcelot, and 
there he lived and served God day and night, with 
prayers and fastings. 

Now the great host abode at Dover till the end of 
the fifteen days set by Sir Launcelot, and then Sir 
Bors made them go home again to their own 
country; and Sir Bors, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir 
Blamor, and many others, took on them to ride 
through all England to seek Sir Launcelot. So Sir 
Bors by fortune rode until he came to the same 
chapel where Sir Launcelot was ; and when he saw 
Sir Launcelot in that manner of clothing, he prayed 
the hermit that he might also become a brother and 
be dressed in the hermit’s garb. And so there 


THE DEATH OF QUEEN GUINEVERE ^79 

was a habit put upon him, and there he lived 
in prayers and fasting. And within half a year 
came others of the knights, their fellows, and took 
such a habit as Sir Launcelot and Sir Bors 
had. Thus they endured in great penance six 
years. 

Now upon a night there came a vision to Sir 
Launcelot, and charged him to hasten toward 
Almesbury, for “by the time thou come there,” it 
said, “thou shalt find Queen Guinevere dead.” 
Then Sir Launcelot rose up early and told the her- 
mit thereof; and the hermit said, “It were well ye 
disobey not this vision.” Then Sir Launcelot took 
his seven companions with him, and they went on 
foot from Glastonbury to Almesbury, which was 
more than thirty miles. And when they came to 
Almesbury they found that Queen Guinevere had 
died but half an hour before. And the ladies of 
the convent told Sir Launcelot how that the queen 
had said that he was now a priest and would come 
and take her body and bury it beside her lord King 
Arthur. Then Sir Launcelot went where she lay 
in death, and as he saw her visage he sighed but 
wept not greatly. And then he said the funeral 
service all himself, both the dirge at night and sang 
the mass at morn. And there was prepared a horse 
bier, and a hundred torches were burning about the 
body of the queen ; and Sir Launcelot and his fel- 
lows followed the bier on foot from Almesbury until 


380 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

they came to Glastonbury; and there she was 
wrapped in cered clothes, and laid in a coffin of 
marble. And when she was put in the earth, Sir 
Launcelot swooned away and lay for a long 
time as one dead. And when he waked again 
he said, “When I remember her beauty and her 
nobleness, and that also of her king; and when 
I saw her corpse and his corpse so lie together, 
truly my heart was so full of grief that it would 
not sustain my body ; and when I remember 
that it was through my fault that these who were 
peerless among all Christian people were laid 
low, my heart sank within me and I could not 
sustain myself.” 

And after this Sir Launcelot never ate but little 
meat, nor drank; but continually mourned and 
prayed night and day, and no one could comfort 
him. And within six weeks he fell sick; and he 
sent for the hermit and all his true fellows, and said, 
“Sir hermit, I pray you give me all my rites that a 
Christian man ought to have.” “It shall not need 
you,” said the hermit and all his friends, “it is but 
heaviness of your blood, and to-morrow morn ye 
shall be well.” “My fair lords,” said Sir Launce- 
lot, “my body will soon be in the earth for I have 
warning of it more than I now will say. Therefore 
give me my rites.” 

So when he had all the rites that a Christian man 
should have to prepare for death, he prayed that his 


THE DEATH OF QUEEN GUINEVERE 381 

fellows might bear his body to Joyeuse Garde. 'It 
repenteth me sore/’ said Sir Launcelot, "but I made 
a vow beforetime that in Joyeuse Garde I would 
be buried, and I pray you that you will bear me 
thither.” Then there was weeping and wringing 
of hands among his fellows. And that night Sir 
Launcelot died ; and when Sir Bors and his fellows 
came to his bedside the next morning, they found 
him stark dead; and he lay with a smile upon his 
face and the sweetest savor all about him that they 
ever knew. 

And they put Sir Launcelot into the same horse- 
bier that Queen Guinevere was laid in, and the her- 
mit and they all together went with the body till 
they came to the Joyeuse Garde. And there they 
laid his corpse in the body of the choir and sang 
and read many psalms and prayers over him. And 
ever his visage was laid open to the people, that 
all folks might behold him. And as they were at 
the service, there came Sir Ector de Maris, who 
had been seeking Sir Launcelot his brother for 
seven years, through all England, Scotland, and 
Wales. And when Sir Ector heard such sounds 
in the chapel of Joyeuse Garde, he alighted and 
came into the choir. And they all knew Sir Ec- 
tor, though he knew not them. Then Sir Bors 
went to him and told him how there lay his brother 
Sir Launcelot, dead. At this Sir Ector threw his 
shield, his sword, and helm from him ; and when he 


382 THE STORY OF KING ARTHUR 

beheld Sir Launcelot’s visage it were hard for any 
tongue to tell the doleful complaints he made for 
his brother. 

“Ah, Sir Launcelot,” he said, “there thou best. 
And now I dare say that thou wast never matched 
of none earthly knight’s hand; and thou wert the 
courtliest knight that ever bare shield; and thou 
wert the truest friend to thy lover that ever bestrode 
horse; and thou wert the truest lover, of a sinful 
man, that ever loved woman; and thou wert the 
kindest man that ever struck with sword ; and thou 
wert the goodliest person that ever came among 
press of knights; and thou wert the meekest man 
and the gentlest, that ever ate in hall among ladies ; 
and thou wert the sternest knight to thy mortal 
foe that ever put spear in rest.” 

Then there was weeping and dolor out of meas- 
ure. Thus they kept Sir Launcelot’s corpse fifteen 
days, and then they buried it with great devotion. 
And then they all went with the Bishop of Canter- 
bury to his hermitage, and there abode for more 
than a month. And Sir Bedivere remained there, 
a hermit, unto the end of his life. And Sir Bors, 
Sir Ector, Sir Blamor, and Sir Bleoberis went to 
the Holy Land, for so Sir Launcelot had com- 
manded them if he passed out of the world before 
them. And these four knights did many battles 
with the infidel Turks; and there at last they died 
upon a Good Friday, as it pleased God. 


THE DEATH OF QUEEN GUINEVERE 383 

Thus endeth this noble and joyous book of King 
Arthur and of his noble knights of the Round 
Table, which book was reduced into English by 
Sir Thomas Malory, Knight; and as he ends the 
story he says, ‘T pray you all gentlemen and gentle- 
women that read this book of Arthur and his 
knights, pray for me that while I am alive that God 
send me good deliverance, and when I am dead, 
I pray you all pray for my soul.” 


THE END 


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